Cells Of Embryonic Day Research Articles

GATA4 Regulates Developing Endocardium Through Interaction With ETS1.

The pioneer transcription factor (TF) GATA4 (GATA Binding Protein 4) is expressed in multiple cardiovascular lineages and is essential for heart development. GATA4 lineage-specific occupancy in the developing heart underlies its lineage specific activities. Here, we characterized GATA4 chromatin occupancy in cardiomyocyte and endocardial lineages, dissected mechanisms that control lineage specific occupancy, and analyzed GATA4 regulation of endocardial gene expression. We mapped GATA4 chromatin occupancy in cardiomyocyte and endocardial cells of embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) mouse heart using lineage specific, Cre-activated biotinylation of GATA4. Regulation of GATA4 pioneering activity was studied in cell lines stably overexpressing GATA4. GATA4 regulation of endocardial gene expression was analyzed using single cell RNA sequencing and luciferase reporter assays. Cardiomyocyte-selective and endothelial-selective GATA4 occupied genomic regions had features of lineage specific enhancers. Footprints within cardiomyocyte- and endothelial-selective GATA4 regions were enriched for NKX2-5 (NK2 homeobox 5) and ETS1 (ETS Proto-Oncogene 1) motifs, respectively, and both of these TFs interacted with GATA4 in co-immunoprecipitation assays. In stable NIH3T3 cell lines expressing GATA4 with or without NKX2-5 or ETS1, the partner TFs re-directed GATA4 pioneer binding and augmented its ability to open previously inaccessible regions, with ETS1 displaying greater potency as a pioneer partner than NKX2-5. Single-cell RNA sequencing of embryonic hearts with endothelial cell-specific Gata4 inactivation identified Gata4-regulated endocardial genes, which were adjacent to GATA4-bound, endothelial regions enriched for both GATA4 and ETS1 motifs. In reporter assays, GATA4 and ETS1 cooperatively stimulated endothelial cell enhancer activity. Lineage selective non-pioneer TFs NKX2-5 and ETS1 guide the activity of pioneer TF GATA4 to bind and open chromatin and create active enhancers and mechanistically link ETS1 interaction to GATA4 regulation of endocardial development.

Multiple Functions of KBP in Neural Development Underlie Brain Anomalies in Goldberg-Shprintzen Syndrome.

Kinesin-binding protein (KBP; KIF1BP; KIAA1279) functions as a regulator for a subset of kinesins, many of which play important roles in neural development. Previous studies have shown that KBP is expressed in nearly all tissue with cytoplasmic localization. Autosomal recessive mutations in KIAA1279 cause a rare neurological disorder, Goldberg-Shprintzen syndrome (GOSHS), characterized by microcephaly, polymicrogyria, intellectual disability, axonal neuropathy, thin corpus callosum and peripheral neuropathy. Most KIAA1279 mutations found in GOSHS patients are homozygous nonsense mutations that result in KBP loss-of-function. However, it is not fully understood how KBP dysfunction causes these defects. Here, we used in utero electroporation (IUE) to express KBP short hairpin RNA (shRNA) with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in neural progenitor cells of embryonic day (E) 14 mice, and collected brain slices at different developmental stages. By immunostaining of neuronal lineage markers, we found that KBP knockdown does not affect the neural differentiation process. However, at 4 days post IUE, many cells were located in the intermediate zone (IZ). Moreover, at postnatal day (P) 6, about one third of the cells, which have become mature neurons, remained ectopically in the white matter (WM), while cells that have reached Layer II/III of the cortex showed impaired dendritic outgrowth and axonal projection. We also found that KBP knockdown induces apoptosis during the postnatal period. Our findings indicate that loss of KBP function leads to defects in neuronal migration, morphogenesis, maturation, and survival, which may be responsible for brain phenotypes observed in GOSHS.

Intrauterine low-protein diet aggravates developmental abnormalities of the urinary system via the Akt/Creb3 pathway in Robo2 mutant mice.

The offspring of Robo2 mutant mice usually present with variable phenotypes of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). An intrauterine low-protein diet can also cause CAKUT in offspring, dominated by the duplicated collecting system phenotype. A single genetic or environment factor can only partially explain the pathogenesis of CAKUT. The present study aimed to establish an intrauterine low-protein diet roundabout 2 (Robo2) mutant mouse model and found that the intrauterine low-protein diet led to significantly increased CAKUT phenotypes in Robo2PB/+ mice offspring, dominant by a duplicated collecting system. At the same time, more ectopic and lower located ureteric buds (UBs) were observed in the intrauterine low-protein diet-fed Robo2 mutant mouse model, and the number of UB branches was reduced in the serum-free culture. During UB protrusion, intrauterine low-protein diet reduced the expression of Slit2/Robo2 in Robo2 mutant mice and affected the expression of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor/Ret, which is a key molecule for metanephric development, with increasing phospho-Akt and phospho-cAMP responsive element-binding protein 3 activity and a reduction of apoptotic cells in embryonic day 11.5 UB tissues. The mechanism by which an intrauterine low-protein diet aggravates CAKUT in Robo2 mutant mice may be related to the disruption of Akt/cAMP responsive element-binding protein 3 signaling and a reduction in apoptosis in UB tissue.

Sox17 as a candidate regulator of myeloid restricted differentiation potential.

Sry related high mobility group box 17 (Sox17), which is a marker of endodermal cells and a transcriptional regulator, has a critical role in the maintenance of fetal and neonatal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Sox17 has been identified as a key regulator of the development and differentiation of fetal hematopoietic progenitors from the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region. The co-culture of Sox17-transduced hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD45(low) c-Kit(high) cells) from AGM regions on OP9 stromal cells gives rise to multipotential hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Here, we show that in a primary transplantation experiment, Sox17-transduction in CD45(low) c-Kit(high) cells of embryonic day (E) 10.5 AGM increased the absolute number of common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) in the bone marrow (BM) of recipient mice in comparison to that of granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (GMPs) and the megakaryocyte/erythroid progenitors (MEPs). When Sox17-transduced cells were cultured with OP9 stromal cells, Sox17-transduced GMPs (Sox17-GMPs), Sox17-transduced CMPs (Sox17-CMPs), and Sox17-transduced MEPs (Sox17-MEPs) were generated. Sox17-GMPs and Sox17-CMPs maintained their self-renewal capacity and the hematopoietic ability upon co-culture with the OP9 stromal cells for some passages. Moreover, Sox17-GMPs exhibited the increase in expression of c-Mpl and GATA-2 in comparison to GMPs of BM and Sox17-CMPs showed the increase in expression of c-Mpl, NF-E2, and β-globin genes in comparison to CMPs of BM. Furthermore, when Sox17-transduced cells were cultured in methylcellulose to examine the colony-forming ability, Sox17-GMPs and Sox17-CMPs maintained the formation of mixed colonies for some passages. Taken together, Sox17 is suggested to regulate the maintenance and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors derived from AGM regions at midgestation, in particular myeloid progenitors.

Circulation-Independent Differentiation Pathway from Extraembryonic Mesoderm toward Hematopoietic Stem Cells via Hemogenic Angioblasts

A large gap exists in our understanding of the course of differentiation from mesoderm to definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Previously, we reported that Runx1(+) cells in embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5) embryos contribute to the hemogenic endothelium in the E10.5 aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region and HSCs in the adult bone marrow. Here, we show that two Runx1(+) populations subdivided by Gata1 expression exist in E7.5 embryos. The hemogenic endothelium and the HSCs are derived only from the Runx1(+)Gata1(-) population. A subset of this population moves from the extra- to intraembryonic region during E7.5-E8.0, where it contributes to the hemogenic endothelium of the dorsal aorta (DA). Migration occurs before the heartbeat is initiated, and it is independent of circulation. This suggests a developmental trajectory from Runx1(+) cells in the E7.5 extraembryonic region to definitive HSCs via the hemogenic endothelium.

Experimental research of hair follicle reconstruction with the aid of embryonic mice dermal cells

To investigate the effect of embryonic dermal signal on the hair-inductive capacity of neonatal mice dermal cells which have been amplified in vitro. Embryonic mice dermal cells of embryonic day 14 were added to a chamber on the back of nude mice with neonatal mice dermal cells which had been amplified in vitro for 3 days and freshly isolated neonatal mice epidermal cells. The hair regeneration was compared between the groups with or without embryonic mice dermal cells. Meanwhile, chambers with following cells respectively were constructed as controls: embryonic mice dermal cells + neonatal mice epidermal cells; freshly isolated neonatal mice dermal cells + neonatal mice epidermal cells; amplified neonatal mice dermal cells only; embryonic mice dermal cells only; freshly isolated neonatal mice dermal cells only; neonatal mice epidermal cells only. The number of regenerated hairs with the aid of embryonic mice dermal cells (207 +/- 15. 948) was significantly higher than that (67 +/- 8.963) in the group without embryonic mice dermal cells (n = 3, t = 7.653, P = 0.002). Embryonic dermal signal can enhance the hair-inductive capacity of neonatal mice dermal cells which have been amplified in vitro.

Gene-Correction Rescues Reprogramming of Fanconi Anemia Fibroblasts and Enables Hematopoietic Differentiation of FA Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract 672Fanconi anemia (FA) is a recessive syndrome characterized by progressive fatal bone marrow failure and chromosomal instability. FA cells have inactivating mutations in a signaling pathway that is critical for maintaining genomic integrity and repairing DNA damage caused by cross-linking agents. Transgenic expression of the implicated genes corrects the phenotype of hematopoietic cells but previous attempts at gene therapy failed largely due to inadequate numbers of hematopoietic stem cells available for gene correction and autologous engraftment. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) constitute an alternate source of autologous cells, which are amenable to ex vivo expansion and genetic correction. While fibroblasts from a limited number of FA patients have been reported to fail to undergo reprogramming (Raya et al., Nature, 2009), reproducible observations and mechanistic studies ascertained in an extended panel of patient cells and murine knock-out models are lacking to date. We undertook direct reprogramming of ten unique human FA primary fibroblast samples of the FA-A, FA-C, FA-G, and FA-D2 complementation groups. Using standard four-factor reprogramming, no human FA iPSC colonies were obtained in cells defective in the FA pathway. By contrast, reprogramming of gene-corrected patient samples, augmented by hypoxia (5%O2), yielded multiple pluripotent iPSC lines, confirming a critical cell-intrinsic role of the FA pathway in reprogramming. To determine if gene-corrected FA iPSC could be therapeutically useful, we performed karyotype analyses and evaluated in vitro hematopoietic differentiation in three FA-A iPSC lines. These FA patient iPSC lines were karyotypically normal and showed a robust multilineage hematopoietic differentiation potential, resulting in erythroid and myeloid hematopoietic colony forming units to a similar degree as compared to normal donor iPSC controls. We hypothesized that the reprogramming resistance of FA cells is due to defective DNA repair and genomic instability. To explore the mechanisms of the reprogramming defect, we transduced wild type (wt) tail-tip fibroblasts (TTF) with the reprogramming vectors. We observed significantly increased FANCD2 foci formation during reprogramming (median percentage of FANCD2 foci: mock-transduced TTF 2.5%, reprogrammed TTF 20.5%, n=8, p<0.01) indicating activation of the FA pathway. Next, we examined reprogramming in FA-deficient mouse cells. We observed a significantly higher incidence of reprogramming-induced double-strand DNA breaks and senescence in Fanca−/− TTF as compared to wt controls (γH2AX foci: wt 13%, Fanca−/− 19%; senescence: wt 47%, Fanca−/− 62%, median percentage, p<0.01). To evaluate whether these changes contribute to the reprogramming resistance of FA cells, we quantified the reprogramming efficiency of Fanca−/−, Fancc−/− and littermate wt TTF. The efficiency was 0.06% for Fanca−/− (n=8) and 0.38% for Fancc−/− (n=12) as compared to 0.55% for wt controls (n=13; p<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). To directly test the role of the FA pathway in reprogramming, TTF were transduced with retroviral vectors co-expressing FANCA and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) or encoding only eGFP as a control. Under hypoxic conditions, gene-correction of the Fanca−/− TTF with FANCA resulted in a significant reduction of senescence and rescued the reprogramming efficiency of Fanca−/− TTF to wt levels. While significant chromosomal aberrations were observed in uncorrected Fanca−/− iPCS, gene-corrected Fanca−/− iPSC did not show any significant chromosomal imbalances when analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization. To evaluate the capacity of FA iPSC to form blood cells in vivo, we injected wt, control transduced or gene-corrected Fanca−/− iPCS (CD45.1+) into wt blastocysts (CD45.2+) and analyzed the contribution of iPSC-derived hematopoietic cells in embryonic day 14.5 fetal livers. We observed 1.8–4% wt iPSC chimerism (n=15), 0.4–0.9% Fanca−/− iPSC chimerism (n=3) and 1.5 to 2.5% chimerism in gene-corrected Fanca−/− iPSC (n=11). Our data demonstrate that reprogramming activates the FA pathway. Gene-correction rescues the reprogramming block of FA cells and protects FA iPSC from genomic instability, thus yielding an expandable source of autologous stem cells with hematopoietic differentiation capacity that may be explored for future use in regenerative medicine. Disclosures:Daley:iPierian, Inc: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Epizyme, Inc: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem, Inc: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Solasia, KK: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; MPM Capital, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Proneural Transcription Factors Regulate Different Steps of Cortical Neuron Migration through Rnd-Mediated Inhibition of RhoA Signaling

SummaryLittle is known of the intracellular machinery that controls the motility of newborn neurons. We have previously shown that the proneural protein Neurog2 promotes the migration of nascent cortical neurons by inducing the expression of the atypical Rho GTPase Rnd2. Here, we show that another proneural factor, Ascl1, promotes neuronal migration in the cortex through direct regulation of a second Rnd family member, Rnd3. Both Rnd2 and Rnd3 promote neuronal migration by inhibiting RhoA signaling, but they control distinct steps of the migratory process, multipolar to bipolar transition in the intermediate zone and locomotion in the cortical plate, respectively. Interestingly, these divergent functions directly result from the distinct subcellular distributions of the two Rnd proteins. Because Rnd proteins also regulate progenitor divisions and neurite outgrowth, we propose that proneural factors, through spatiotemporal regulation of Rnd proteins, integrate the process of neuronal migration with other events in the neurogenic program.

Changes of DNA Methylation Level and Spatial Arrangement of Primordial Germ Cells in Embryonic Day 15 to Embryonic Day 28 Pig Embryos1

The mammalian germline is generally assumed to undergo extensive epigenetic reprogramming during embryonic development, including a nearly complete erasure of DNA methylation. This assumption does, however, to large degree rely on data from mouse, and despite a well-grounded picture the general nature of these data needs to be validated by investigations of other mammalian species. This study represents such a contribution in the examination of the germline in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa). Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the level of DNA methylation in the POU5F1-positive primordial germ cells (PGCs) compared with neighboring somatic cells in porcine embryos at Embryonic Day 15 (E15), E17, E20, E21, and E28. We show that, in agreement with the mouse model, a significantly lower level of DNA methylation was observed in the early migrating PGCs. This level was decreasing until a stage coinciding with the entrance of the PGCs to the genital ridge. After this, the methylation level increased. Using whole-mount immunostaining, we determined the spatial arrangement of the porcine PGCs in the period between E15 and E28, allowing some comparison with the migration of the murine germline. The overall conclusion from the obtained data is that the DNA methylation changes in porcine PGCs, as well as the migration of these cells, parallels the picture reported for the mouse.

Evi1 Is a Stem Cell-Specific Regulator of Self-Renewal Capacity In the Definitive Hematopoietic System

AbstractAbstract 838Self-renewal is a defining property of stem cells. Although a number of molecules have been implicated in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, loss of these genes is accompanied with other hematological abnormalities. Thus, it is unclear what will happen with a specific loss of self-renewal capacity of HSCs. Evi1 is an oncogenic transcription factor in myeloid malignancies. Evi1 expression is limited to hematopoietic stem/progenitor fraction, and Evi1 is essential for the maintenance of HSCs, but is dispensable for blood cell lineage commitment. Thus, we hypothesized that Evi1 expression could distinguish hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and reduction of Evi1 gene dosage might cause a specific loss of self-renewal activity. First, to elucidate Evi1 expression within the hematopoietic system, we have generated Evi1-IRES-green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in mice, in which GFP was expressed under the endogenous transcriptional regulatory elements of Evi1 gene. We found that Evi1 was predominantly expressed in the hematopoietic stem/progenitor fraction (Lin- Sca-1+ c-kit+ (LSK)), but its expression was rapidly extinguished during early stages of lineage commitment. Among the LSK compartment, Evi1 was expressed at the highest level in long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs; Flk2- CD34-, CD48- CD150+, or SP-tip fractions in LSK cells). Next, we hypothesized that Evi1 would have the potential to mark LT-HSCs effectively. To test this, we compared GFP+ and GFP- cells in the LSK fraction, and revealed that GFP+ LSK cells were more immature and quiescent with a higher colony-forming capacity than GFP- LSK cells. In addition, in vivo long-term multilineage repopulating cells were exclusively enriched in the GFP+ LSK fraction. In the embryo, Evi1 was highly expressed in the hematopoietic stem/progenitor fraction; that is, CD34+ c-kit+ cells in embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) aorta-gonad-mesonephros, CD34+ c-kit+ CD48- cells in E12.5 placenta, and Mac-1+ Sca-1+ Lin- (MSL) CD48- cells in E14.5 fetal liver (FL). In vivo competitive repopulation assay showed that, in the MSL fraction of FL, GFP+ MSL cells exclusively had a long-term multilineage repopulating capacity. These results implied that Evi1 plays a more specific role in HSCs than in other hematopoietic cells. To clarify this, we analyzed heterozygous Evi1 knockout mice (Evi1 +/− mice), as it seems difficult to elucidate the function of a small population of HSCs in Evi1 conditional knockout mice due to the leaky expression of Cre recombinase. We have previously showed that haploinsufficiency of Evi1 leads to decreased numbers of LSK and CD34- LSK cells, and impaired long-term repopulating activity. Here we demonstrated the number of each fraction in Evi1 +/− LSK cells was reduced in proportion to their expression level of Evi1. But, there were no significant differences in the numbers of lymphoid and myeloid progenitors between Evi1 +/+ and Evi1 +/− mice. Evi1 +/− CD34+ LSK cells had an equivalent in vitro colony-forming capacity and day 11 colony-forming unit-spleen activity to Evi1 +/+ CD34+ LSK cells. However, in vivo short-term repopulation assay using CD34+ LSK cells showed that the percentage of donor-derived cells from Evi1 +/− mice was significantly declined at 4 weeks after transplantation. Moreover, Evi1 +/− CD34- LSK cells had a pronouncedly impaired in vivo repopulating capacity. These data suggested that the differentiation capacity of Evi1 +/− HSCs was maintained, but their self-renewal capacity was specifically reduced. Although flow cytometric analysis of cell-cycle status and apoptosis showed no differences in CD34- LSK cells between Evi1+/+ and Evi1 +/− mice, the G0 fraction of Evi1 +/− CD34+ LSK cells was significantly reduced, indicating that these cells might proliferate more rapidly to compensate for the impaired self-renewal capacity of HSCs. In conclusion, we showed that Evi1 is predominantly expressed in HSCs and its expression can mark long-term repopulating HSCs in the fetal and adult hematopoietic system. Moreover, functional loss caused by haploinsufficiency of Evi1 is limited to a defect of self-renewal capacity of HSCs, and the increased cell-cycle progression of CD34+ LSK cells in Evi1 +/− mice seems to be the consequence of the impaired self-renewal capacity. Our data may help to understand the unrevealed effects of loss of self-renewal activity of HSCs and compensative mechanism of their defects. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Inhibition of Wnt signaling by the osteoblast-specific transcription factor Osterix

The recent identification of the genes responsible for several human genetic diseases affecting bone homeostasis and the characterization of mouse models for these diseases indicated that canonical Wnt signaling plays a critical role in the control of bone mass. Here, we report that the osteoblast-specific transcription factor Osterix (Osx), which is required for osteoblast differentiation, inhibits Wnt pathway activity. First, in calvarial cells of embryonic day (E)18.5 Osx-null embryos, expression of the Wnt antagonist Dkk1 was abolished, and that of Wnt target genes c-Myc and cyclin D1 was increased. Moreover, our studies demonstrated that Osx bound to and activated the Dkk1 promoter. In addition, Osx inhibited beta-catenin-induced Topflash reporter activity and beta-catenin-induced secondary axis formation in Xenopus embryos. Importantly, in calvaria of E18.5 Osx-null embryos harboring the TOPGAL reporter transgene, beta-galactosidase activity was increased, suggesting that Osx inhibited the Wnt pathway in osteoblasts in vivo. Our data further showed that Osx disrupted binding of Tcf to DNA, providing a likely mechanism for the inhibition by Osx of beta-catenin transcriptional activity. We also showed that Osx decreased osteoblast proliferation. Indeed, E18.5 Osx-null calvaria showed greater BrdU incorporation than wild-type calvaria and that Osx overexpression in C2C12 mesenchymal cells inhibited cell growth. Because Wnt signaling has a major role in stimulating osteoblast proliferation, we speculate that Osx-mediated inhibition of osteoblast proliferation is a consequence of the Osx-mediated control of Wnt/beta-catenin activity. Our results add a layer of control to Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in bone.

Junctional adhesion molecule-A, JAM-A, is a novel cell-surface marker for long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells

AbstractJunctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A/JAM-1/F11R) is a cell adhesion molecule expressed in epithelial and endothelial cells, and also hematopoietic cells, such as leukocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes. Here, we show that JAM-A is expressed at a high level in the enriched hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fraction; that is, CD34+c-Kit+ cells in embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) aorta-gonod-mesonephros (AGM) and E11.5 fetal liver (FL), as well as c-Kit+Sca-1+Lineage− (KSL) cells in E14.5 FL, E18.5FL, and adult bone marrow (BM). Although the percentage of JAM-A+ cells in those tissues decreases during development, the expression in the HSC fraction is maintained throughout life. Colony-forming assays reveal that multilineage colony-forming activity in JAM-A+ cells is higher than that in JAM-A− cells in the enriched HSC fraction in all of those tissues. Transplantation assays show that long-term reconstituting HSC (LTR-HSC) activity is exclusively in the JAM-A+ population and is highly enriched in the JAM-A+ cells sorted directly from whole BM cells by anti–JAM-A antibody alone. Together, these results indicate that JAM-A is expressed on hematopoietic precursors in various hematopoietic tissues and is an excellent marker to isolate LTR-HSCs.

Junctional Adhesion Molecule-A (JAM-A/JAM-1/F11R) Marks Long-Term Repopulating Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A/JAM-1/F11R) is a cell adhesion molecule expressed in epithelial cells, endothelial cells and also hematopoietic cells such as leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes. However, the expression of JAM-A in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) had not been known. Here we show that JAM-A is expressed at a high level in the enriched HSC fraction, i.e. CD34+ c-Kit+ cells in embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) aorta-gonod-mesonephros (AGM) and E11.5 fetal liver (FL) as well as c-Kit+ Sca-1+ Lineage- (KSL) cells in E14.5 FL, E18.5FL and adult bone marrow (BM). While the percentage of JAM-A+ cells in those tissues decreases during the development, the expression in HSC fraction is maintained throughout life. In fact, c-Kit+Sca-1+ cells are enriched approximately 200-fold from whole BM cells by anti-JAM-A antibody alone, i.e. the c-Kit+Sca-1+ cells in whole BM was about 0.15% and that in JAM-A+ cells was about 30%. Colony forming assays reveal that multi-lineage colony forming activity (CFU-mix) in JAM-A+ cells is higher than that in JAM-A- cells in the enriched HSC fraction in all those tissues. HSC transplantation assay revealed that long-term repopulating HSC (LTR-HSC) activity is present in the mice received 100 JAM-A+ KSL (7/9) cells and 300 KSL cells (5/6). Since the ratio of JAM-A+ cells to JAM-A- cells in the KSL fraction is about 6.5:3.5, 100 JAM-A- KSL cells are equivalent to 285 total KSL cells. In contrast to JAM-A+ cells, the mice received 1000 JAM-A- KSL cells, which are equivalent to more than 2850 total KSL cells, failed to engraft for long-term (0/6). These data revealed that long-term repopulating HSC (LTR-HSC) activity is present exclusively in the JAM-A+ cells, but not in JAM-A- cells. Moreover only 100 JAM-A+ cells isolated from whole BM cells by anti-JAM-A antibody alone reconstituted the hematopoietic system for long-term (4/7). Together these results indicate that JAM-A is expressed on hematopoietic precursors in various hematopoietic tissues and is an excellent and convenient marker to enrich LTR-HSC from BM cells.

The p85α Regulatory Subunit of Class IA Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Regulates β-Selection in Thymocyte Development

We examined the role of class IA PI3K in pre-TCR controlled beta-selection and TCR-controlled positive/negative selection in thymic development. Using mice deficient for p85alpha, a major regulatory subunit of the class IA PI3K family, the role of class IA PI3K in beta-selection was examined by injection of anti-CD3epsilon mAb into p85alpha(-/-)Rag-2(-/-) mice, which mimics pre-TCR signals. Transition of CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative (DN) to CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) thymocytes triggered by anti-CD3epsilon mAb was significantly impaired in p85alpha(-/-)Rag-2(-/-) compared with p85alpha(+/-)Rag-2(-/-) mice. Furthermore, DP cell numbers were lower in p85alpha(-/-)DO11.10/Rag-2(-/-) TCR-transgenic mice than in DO11.10/Rag-2(-/-) mice. In addition, inhibition by IC87114 of the major class IA PI3K catalytic subunit expressed in lymphocytes, p110delta, blocked transition of DN to DP cells in embryonic day 14.5 fetal thymic organ culture without affecting cell viability. In the absence of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10, where class IA PI3K signals would be amplified, the DN to DP transition was accelerated. In contrast, neither positive nor negative selection in Rag-2(-/-)TCR-transgenic mice was perturbed by the lack of p85alpha. These findings establish an important function of class IA PI3K in the pre-TCR-controlled developmental transition of DN to DP thymocytes.

Notch3 signaling initiates choroid plexus tumor formation

Notch3 has been studied in the context of brain development, but whether it plays a role in the formation of brain tumors is unclear. We demonstrate that the introduction of constitutively active Notch3 into periventricular cells of embryonic day 9.5 mice causes the formation of choroid plexus tumors (CPTs). Tumors arose in the fourth ventricles in 83% of animals and were associated with hydrocephalus. They were microscopically highly similar to choroid plexus papillomas in humans, with an ongoing proliferation rate of 4-6%. Signs of Notch pathway activity were also present in human choroid plexus lesions, and receptor mRNA levels in papillomas were elevated over those in non-neoplastic choroid plexus. Notch2 was overexpressed approximately 500-fold in one case, suggesting that the role of this pathway in CPTs may not be specific to Notch3. Our findings indicate that activated Notch3 can function as an oncogene in the developing brain, and link the Notch pathway to human CPT pathogenesis.

Purification and Characterization of Mouse Fetal Liver Epithelial Cells With High In Vivo Repopulation Capacity *

Epithelial cells in embryonic day (ED) 12.5 murine fetal liver were separated from hematopoietic cell populations using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and were characterized by immunocytochemistry using a broad set of antibodies specific for epithelial cells (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], albumin [ALB], pancytokeratin [PanCK], Liv2, E-cadherin, Dlk), hematopoietic/endothelial cells (Ter119, CD45, CD31), and stem/progenitor cells (c-Kit, CD34, Sca-1). AFP(+)/ALB(+) cells represented approximately 2.5% of total cells and were positive for the epithelial-specific surface markers Liv2, E-cadherin, and Dlk, but were clearly separated and distinct from hematopoietic cells (Ter119(+)/CD45(+)). Fetal liver epithelial cells (AFP(+)/E-cadherin(+)) were Sca-1(+) but showed no expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers c-Kit and CD34. These cells were enriched by FACS sorting for E-cadherin to a purity of 95% as defined by co-expression of AFP and PanCK. Purified fetal liver epithelial cells formed clusters in cell culture and differentiated along the hepatocytic lineage in the presence of dexamethasone, expressing glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) and tyrosine amino transferase. Wild-type ED12.5 murine fetal liver cells were transplanted into adult dipeptidyl peptidase IV knockout mice and differentiated into mature hepatocytes expressing ALB, G6P, and glycogen, indicating normal biochemical function. Transplanted cells became fully incorporated into the hepatic parenchymal cords and showed up to 80% liver repopulation at 2 to 6 months after cell transplantation. In conclusion, we isolated and highly purified a population of epithelial cells from the ED12.5 mouse fetal liver that are clearly separate from hematopoietic cells and differentiate into mature, functional hepatocytes in vivo with the capacity for efficient liver repopulation. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the HEPATOLOGY website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0270-9139/suppmat/index.html).

Spred-2 suppresses aorta-gonad-mesonephros hematopoiesis by inhibiting MAP kinase activation.

In midgestation mouse embryos, the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region generates hematopoietic stem cells and definitive hematopoiesis is regulated by cell–cell interaction and signaling molecules. We showed that a Ras/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling-specific inhibitor and a dominant negative mutant Ras blocked the production of CD45+ hematopoietic cells in embryonic day 11.5 AGM culture, indicating an essential role for the MAP kinase pathway in AGM hematopoiesis. Overexpression of the Ras/MAP kinase pathway regulator, Spred-2, in the AGM culture significantly reduced the number of CD45+ cells. In contrast, production of CD45+ cells from the AGM region of Spred-2–null mice was up-regulated as compared with wild-type littermates. Furthermore, Spred-2–deficient mice exhibited elevated hematopoietic colony formation from vascular endothelial-cadherin+ cells. These data indicate that Spred-2 functions as a negative regulator of AGM hematopoiesis by inhibiting hematopoietic cytokine signaling.

Adaptive response in embryogenesis: IV. Protective and detrimental bystander effects induced by X radiation in cultured limb bud cells of fetal mice.

The radioadaptive response and the bystander effect represent important phenomena in radiobiology that have an impact on novel biological response mechanisms and risk estimates. Micromass cultures of limb bud cells provide an in vitro cellular maturation system in which the progression of cell proliferation and differentiation parallels that in vivo. This paper presents for the first time evidence for the correlation and interaction in a micromass culture system between the radioadaptive response and the bystander effect. A radioadaptive response was induced in limb bud cells of embryonic day 11 ICR mice. Conditioning irradiation of the embryonic day 11 cells with 0.3 Gy resulted in a significant protective effect against the occurrence of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, and differentiation induced by a challenging dose of 5 Gy given the next day. Both protective and detrimental bystander effects were observed; namely, irradiating 50% of the embryonic day 11 cells with 0.3 Gy led to a successful induction of the protective effect, and irradiating 70% of the embryonic day 12 cells with 5 Gy produced a detrimental effect comparable to that seen when all the cells were irradiated. Further, the bystander effect was markedly decreased by pretreatment of the cells with an inhibitor to block the gap junction-mediated intercellular communication. These results indicate that the bystander effect plays an important role in both the induction of a protective effect by the conditioning dose and the detrimental effect of the challenge irradiation. Gap junction-mediated intercellular communication was suggested to be involved in the induction of the bystander effect.

Primordial Rhythmic Bursting in Embryonic Cochlear Ganglion Cells

This study examined the nature of spontaneous discharge patterns in cochlear ganglion cells in embryonic day 13 (E13) to early E17 chicken embryos (stages 39-43). Neural recordings were made with glass micropipettes. No sound-driven activity was seen for the youngest embryos (maximum intensity 107 dB sound pressure level). Ganglion cells were labeled with biotinylated dextran amine in four embryos. In two animals, primary afferents projected to hair cells in the middle region along the length of the basilar papilla in which, in one cell, the terminals occupied a neural transverse position and, in the other, a more abneural location. Statoacoustic ganglion cells showing no spontaneous activity were seen for the first time in the chicken. The proportion of "silent" cells was largest at the youngest stages (stage 39, 67%). In active cells, mean spontaneous discharge rates [9.4 +/- 10.4 spikes (Sp)/sec; n = 44] were lower than rates for older embryos (19 +/- 17 Sp/sec) (Jones and Jones, 2000). Embryos at stages 39-41 evidenced even lower rates (4.2 +/- 5.0 Sp/sec). The most salient feature of spontaneous activity for stages 39-43 was a bursting discharge pattern in >75% of active neurons (33 of 44). Moreover, in 55% of these cells, there was a clear, slow, rhythmic bursting pattern. The proportion of cells showing rhythmic bursting was greatest at the youngest stages (39-42) and decreased to <30% at stage 43. Rate of bursting ranged from 1 to 54 bursts per minute. The presence of rhythmic bursting in cochlear ganglion cells at E13-E17 provides an explanation for the existence of such patterns in central auditory relays. The bursting patterns may serve as a patterning signal for central synaptic refinements in the auditory system during development.

Evidence that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide is a potent regulator of fetal rat testicular steroidogenesis.

Testicular steroidogenesis in the fetal rat is activated before the onset of pituitary gonadotropin secretion. We studied here whether the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) could regulate this early Leydig cell activity. Effects of the two PACAP forms, 27 and 38, were studied on cAMP and testosterone production of dispersed Leydig cells of embryonic Day (E) 18.5. Furthermore, PACAP and PACAP type I receptor mRNA expression were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and testicular PACAP concentations by RIA. The two peptides were highly potent stimulators of fetal testes. Doses as low as 10(-18) mol/L of PACAP-27 and 10(-17)-10(-16) mol/L of PACAP-38 significantly stimulated cAMP and testosterone production, with magnitude comparable to that evoked by hCG. These effects were specific for fetal Leydig cells, because PACAP-responsive control cells, including murine Sertoli and granulosa cell lines, only responded to concentrations >/=10(-12) mol/L. By RT-PCR, PACAP and its type I receptor mRNAs were expressed in fetal testis as early as E15.5. By Northern hybridization, PACAP mRNA was first detectable on Day 30 postpartum and increased thereafter. Both forms of PACAP peptides were clearly detectable in E17.5 testes, with decreasing levels thereafter. In conclusion, the steroidogenesis of fetal rat Leydig cells responds to very low concentrations of PACAP, which may be an important physiological regulator of this activity before the onset of pituitary LH secretion.