EGFP cDNA Research Articles

198 Germline-Specific Expression of the Murine Oct4-EGFP Transgene in the Pig

The Oct4 gene is crucial for undisturbed early embryonic development and maintenance of pluripotency in the mouse. It is found in mouse pre-implantation embryos after embryonic genome activation. After gastrulation, expression is restricted to germ cells. Limited research has been performed on OCT4 expression in the domestic pig, which is a valuable large animal model in biomedicine. Previously, we generated Oct4-EGFP reporter pigs carrying the genomic sequence of the murine Oct4 gene fused to the EGFP cDNA (Nowak-Imialek et al. 2011 Stem Cells Dev. 20, 1563-1575, 10.1089/scd.2010.0399). In the present study, we used this animal model to analyse the expression profile of the murine Oct4-EGFP transgene in porcine oocytes, in vivo-derived embryos (4-cell embryos, 8- to 16-cell embryos, morulae, and blastocysts) and ovaries. We studied whether the murine Oct4-EGFP transgene mimics the expression pattern of the endogenous OCT4 protein in transgenic pigs. Immature oocytes were isolated from ovaries of Oct4-EGFP transgenic sows (n = 5) using slicing methods. For collection of porcine embryos, wild-type sows were inseminated with sperm from an Oct4-EGFP transgenic boar. Sows were sacrificed 3, 4, and 5 days after insemination, and embryos were recovered by flushing oviducts and uterus and analysed by confocal microscopy. Ovaries obtained from female animals (5–12 months) were enzymatically dissociated and analysed using flow cytometry. Immature oocytes (n = 19) showed a very low, diffuse EGFP signal in cytoplasm. Embryos up to the 4-cell stage (n = 45) did not show Oct4-EGFP transgene expression. For the first time, EGFP fluorescence was detected at the 8-cell stage (n = 29) and a strong EGFP signal was observed in 16-cell stages and morulae (n = 53). In blastocysts from Day 5 (n = 40) EGFP fluorescence was not restricted to the inner cell mass (ICM), but was also seen in the trophectoderm (TE). Expression of EGFP was not detected in ovarian cells (n = 12). Thereafter, we analysed the expression pattern of endogenous OCT4 protein by immunostaining in nontransgenic porcine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. As in Oct4-EGFP transgenic embryos, no expression of OCT4 was observed in 4-cell embryos (n = 12). Nuclear staining first became visible at the 8-cell stage (n = 12), with a strong signal observed in 16-cell stages and morulae (n = 18). In blastocysts from Day 5 (n = 26), both ICM and TE cell nuclei showed expression of OCT4 protein. These results demonstrate that the Oct4-EGFP transgene expression pattern reproduces the endogenous OCT4 protein expression profile in porcine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. The Oct4-EGFP transgene was first detected at the 8-cell stage, consistent with embryonic genome activation, which is initiated at the 4-cell stage. However, Oct4-EGFP expression was not detected in ovarian cells. This might be related to the very low expression pattern of the Oct4-EGFP transgene in primary oocytes. In summary, the Oct4-EGFP transgene in the pig provides a useful marker for monitoring pluripotency in pre-implantation embryos after embryonic genome activation. In ongoing experiments, we are analysing the expression profile of the Oct4-EGFP transgene and endogenous OCT4 protein in porcine pre-implantation embryos from Days 8 and 11.

Detection and quantification of dengue virus using a novel biosensor system based on dengue NS3 protease activity.

BackgroundThe traditional methods, plaque assays and immuno-focus assays, used to titrate infectious dengue virus (DENV) particles are time consuming and labor intensive. Here, we developed a DENV protease activity detection system (DENPADS) to visualize DENV infection in cells based on dengue protease activity.Methodology/Principal findingsDengue NS3 protease cleaves NS4B-NS5. BHK-21 cells stably expressing the sensor module comprising DENV-2 NS4 and the 10 amino-terminal amino acids of NS5 (N10NS5) fused with the SV40 nuclear localization signal (NLS) and Cre recombinase (Cre), were generated. Cre is constrained outside the nucleus in the absence of NS3 activity but translocates into the nucleus through NS4B-NS5 cleavage when cells are infected with DENV. Nuclear translocation of Cre can trigger the reporter system, which contains a cis-loxP-flanked mCherry with three continuous stop codons following an SV40 polyA tail cDNA upstream of EGFP or mHRP cDNA. Our results show that DENPADS is an efficient and accurate method to titrate 4 DENV serotypes in 24 hours. Compared with current virus titration methods, the entire process is easy to perform, and the data are easily acquired.Conclusions/SignificanceIn this study, we demonstrate that DENPADS can be used to detect dengue viral infection through a fluorescence switch or HRP activity in the infected cells. This approach is sensitive with less incubation time and labor input. In addition, DENPADS can simultaneously evaluate the efficacy and cytotoxicity of potential anti-DENV candidates. Overall, DENPADS is a useful tool for dengue research.

Circadian RNA expression elicited by 3'-UTR IRAlu-paraspeckle associated elements.

Paraspeckles are nuclear bodies form around the long non-coding RNA, Neat1, and RNA-binding proteins. While their role is not fully understood, they are believed to control gene expression at a post-transcriptional level by means of the nuclear retention of mRNA containing in their 3'-UTR inverted repeats of Alu sequences (IRAlu). In this study, we found that, in pituitary cells, all components of paraspeckles including four major proteins and Neat1 displayed a circadian expression pattern. Furthermore the insertion of IRAlu at the 3'-UTR of the EGFP cDNA led to a rhythmic circadian nuclear retention of the egfp mRNA that was lost when paraspeckles were disrupted whereas insertion of a single antisense Alu had only a weak effect. Using real-time video-microscopy, these IRAlu were further shown to drive a circadian expression of EGFP protein. This study shows that paraspeckles, thanks to their circadian expression, control circadian gene expression at a post-transcriptional level.

Screening for and validation of a hepatic fibrosis-related pathway induced by insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein 1.

Our previous studies characterized insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBPrP1) as a molecule that promotes hepatic fibrogenesis, but its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we have investigated the effect of IGFBPrP1 on gene expression in the hepatic fibrosis-related pathway. Sprague-Dawley rats received injections of an adenovirus carrying IGFBPrP1 or EGFP cDNA into their tail veins. In hepatic preparations, hepatic stellate cell activation was determined by α-smooth muscle actin expression and hepatic fibrosis by Sirius red staining and hydroxyproline content analysis. IGFBPrP1-inducible genes of the hepatic fibrosis-related pathway were assessed by PCR array. Expression of IGFBPrP1 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and array results were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. IGFBPrP1-overexpressing rats showed an increase in α-smooth muscle actin expression and collagen and hydroxyproline content in the liver. The PCR array results indicated that some genes were upregulated and some were downregulated in Ad-IGFBPrP1-infected rats. Among these, Egr1, MAP2K2 (MEK2) and MAPK3 (ERK1) expression increased, whereas PTEN and Hhip mRNA expression decreased. Egr1 protein levels increased and peaked 2 weeks after infection and then decreased gradually. PTEN protein decreased gradually in Ad-IGFBPrP1-infected rats with a concurrent increase in the degree of hepatic fibrosis. TGFβ1 levels increased during hepatic fibrosis development in liver tissues. Egr1, PTEN, Hhip, MAP2K2 (MEK2) and MAPK3 (ERK1) were identified as candidate genes of the IGFBPrP1-induced hepatic fibrosis-related pathway. IGFBPrP1 promoted hepatic fibrosis mainly by enhancing the TGFβ1 expression that it triggered.

Production of the BmCecB1 antimicrobial peptide in transgenic silkworm

This peptide has antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Bombyx mori cecropinB1(BmCecB1) is antimicrobial peptides from Bombyx mori and belongs to cecropin family. Antimicrobial peptides are important components of the innate immune systems in all living organism. To produce the BmCecB1 antimicrobial peptide, we constructed transgenic silkworm that expressed BmCecB1 gene under the control BmA3 promoter using piggyBac vector. The use of the 3xP3-driven EGFP cDNA as a marker allowed us to rapidly distinguish transgenic silkworm. Mixtures of the donor vector and helper vector were micro-injected into 600 eggs of bivoltin silkworms, Baegokjam. In total, 49 larvae (G0) were hatched and allowed to develop into moths. The resulting G1 generation consisted of 22 broods, and we selected 2 broods containing at least 1 EGFP-positive embryo. The rate of successful transgenesis for the G1 broods was 9%. We identified 9 EGFP-positive G1 moths and these were backcrossed with wild-type moths. With the aim of identifying a BmCecB1 as antimicrobial peptide, we investigated the Radical diffusion Assay (RDA) and then demonstrated that BmCecB1 possesses high antibacterial activities against Gram-negative bacteria.

멜리틴 항균펩타이드를 생산하는 형질전환누에

본 연구의 목적은 누에형질전환 기술을 이용하여 누에체액에서 melittin 항균펩타이드를 생산하는 것으로서, 본 실험에서는 누에유래의 액틴3 프로모터를 이용하여 melittin 항균펩타이드를 발현시켰다. 누에형질전환체 선발을 위해서는 3xP3 promoter와 EGFP 유전자를 이용하여 선발하였고, 300개의 누에알에 microinjection 하여 F1 세대에서 11 bloods의 누에형질전환체를 선발하였다. 선발된 누에형질전환체는 초기배 단계의 눈과 신경조직, 유충과 번데기 그리고 성충의 눈에서 EGFP 형광단백질이 발현되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 G2 세대 누에형질전환체를 5령 5일 유충까지 사육 후, 체액을 채취한 후 전처리 하였다. 이 시료를 항균활성검정을 하였고, 총 10마리의 누에를 선발할 수 있었다. 이렇게 선발 된 누에는 서로 교배를 통해서 계대사육을 하였다. 이러한 과정으로 선발된 G3세대 누에형질전환체를 이용하여 앞의 과정과 동일한 방법으로 항균할성을 검정하였다. 그 결과 대조군으로 사용된 시그마사의 melittin(0.016 mg/ml)과 거의 동일한 항균활성을 나타내었다. 이상의 결과에서 melittin 항균펩타이드를 생산하는 누에형질전환체가 성공적으로 제작되었음을 확인할 수 있었다. Melittin is the main component of Bee Venom and has antibacterial activity against several bacteria. To produce the melittin antimicrobial peptide, we constructed transgenic silkworm that expressed melittin gene under the control BmA3 promoter using piggyBac vector. The use of the 3xP3-driven EGFP cDNA as a marker allowed us to rapidly distinguish transgenic silkworm. Mixtures of the donor vector and helper vector were micro-injected into 300 eggs of bivoltin silkworms, Baegokjam. In total, 131 larvae (G0) were hatched and allowed to develop into moths. The resulting G1 generation consisted of 36 broods, and we selected 4 broods containing at least 1 EGFP-positive embryo. The rate of successful transgenesis for the G1 broods was 11%. We identified 12 EGFP-positive G1 moths and these were backcrossed with wild-type moths. With the aim of identifying a melittin as antimicrobial peptide, we investigated the Radical diffusion Assay (RDA) and then demonstrated that melittin possesses high antibacterial activities against gramnegative bacteria.

Indirubin derivatives alter DNA binding activity of the transcription factor NF-Y and inhibit MDR1 gene promoter

Indirubin derivatives exert antitumor activity. However, their effects on the expression of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) have not been investigated. Here we found three derivatives that inhibit the MDR1 gene promoter. To investigate the effects of indirubins on the DNA binding of NF-Y, a major MDR1 gene transcription factor that recognizes an inverted CCAAT element in the promoter, gel mobility shift assay was performed using the element as a probe with nuclear extracts from NG108-15, MCF7, HepG2, C2C12, and SK-N-SH cells. Among 17 compounds, 5-methoxyindirubin inhibited the DNA binding of NF-Y significantly, whereas indirubin-3′-oxime and 7-methoxyindirubin 3′-oxime increased the binding considerably. After evaluating a suitable concentration of each compound for transcription analysis using living tumor cells, we performed a reporter gene assay using a reporter DNA plasmid containing EGFP cDNA fused to the MDR1 gene promoter region. Indirubin-3′-oxime exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the MDR1 promoter activity in MCF7 and HepG2 cells, and 5-methoxyindirubin inhibited the activity only in MCF7 cells; 7-methoxyindirubin 3′-oxime suppressed the activity in all of the cell lines. We further confirmed that the compounds reduced endogenous MDR1 transcription without any inhibitory effect on NF-Y expression. Moreover, each compound increased the doxorubicin sensitivity of MCF7 cells. These results indicate that each indirubin derivative acts on the DNA binding of NF-Y and represses the MDR1 gene promoter with tumor cell-type specificity.

누에 형질전환에 의한 견사선에서의 적색형광단백질 발현

본 연구의 목적은 누에형질전환 기술을 이용하여 적색형광실크를 개발하는 것으로서, 본 실험에서는 피브로인 H-chain의 N-말단과 C-말단을 이용하여 피브로인 재조합 단백질 발현 시스템을 제작하였고, 종결 코돈이 없는 DsRed2 유전자를 위의 발현 시스템에 클로닝하여 적색형광실크를 제작하였다. 누에형질전환체 선발을 위해서는 3xP3 promoter와 EGFP 유전자를 이용하여 선발하였고, 1020개의 누에알에 microinjection 하여 F1 세대에서 6 broods의 형질전환체를 선발하였다. 선발된 누에형질전환체는 초기배 단계의 눈과 신경조직, 유충과 번데기 그리고 성충의 눈에서 EGFP 형광단백질이 발현되는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 또한 실크의 피브로인에서 DsRed2 단백질이 발현되는 것을 확인하기 위해, F2세대의 누에형질전환체 중에서 5령 5일 유충을 해부하여 견사선을 형광현미경으로 관찰하였고, 중부와 후부 견사선에서 적색형광단백질이 발현되는 것을 확인 할 수 있었고, F2 세대의 고치에서도 적색형광단백질의 발현을 확인할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과에서 적색형광실크를 생산하는 누에형질전환체가 성공적으로 제작되었음을 확인할 수 있었고 이러한 결과를 토대로 새로운 산업소재로서 실크를 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다. We constructed the fibroin H-chain expression system to produce Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein variant2 (DsRed2) in transgenic silkworm cocoon. Fluorescent cocoon could be made by fusing DsRed2 cDNA to the heavy chain gene and injecting it into a silkworm. The DsRed2 fusion protein, each with N- and C-terminal sequences of the fibroin H-chain, was designed to be secreted into the lumen of the posterior silk glands. The expression of the DsRed2/H-chain fusion gene was regulated by the fibroin H-chain promoter. The use of the 3xP3-driven EGFP cDNA as a marker allowed us to rapidly distinguish transgenic silkworms. The EGFP fluorescence became visible in the ocelli and in the central and peripheral nervous system on the seventh day of embryonic development. A mixture of the donor and helper vector was micro-injected into 1,020 Kumokjam, bivoltin silkworm eggs. We obtained 6 broods. The cocoon was displayed strong red fluorescence, proving that the fusion protein was present in the cocoon. Accordingly, we suggest that the DsRed2 fluorescence silk will enable the production of novel biomaterial based on the transgenic silk.

Levels of the c-Myb Protein Indicate Repopulating Capacity in Long-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Abstract 1196c-Myb is a transcription factor essential for the proliferation of hematopoietic cells: conventional c-myb deficient mice died around E14 when their hematopoietic progenitors/stem cells fail to proliferate in the fetal livers. Recently, c-myb has also been reported to be crucial for the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors. We have previously reported that the differentiation into erythrocytes, megakaryocytes and B-lymphocytes is regulated by c-myb levels utilizing ES cell in vitro differentiation combined with a tetracycline-inducible gene expression system. The gene-altered c-myb mice, such as knockdown or conditional knockout mice in the hematopoietic cell lineages, showed that c-myb controlled hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In order to examine the levels of the c-Myb protein in HSCs, we established c-Myb reporter mice in which the EGFP cDNA was linked to the coding sequence of the c-myb gene (c-MybEGFP). Homozygous c-MybEGFP mice, showing normal hematopoiesis, expressed EGFP in hematopoietic progenitors. EGFP+ cells were observed in most long-term (LT) HSCs (90–95%), which were defined as CD34− Lin− Sca-1+c-Kithigh cells (34LSKs), CD150+CD48−LSKs and side-population LSKs. To evaluate c-Myb function in LT-HSCs, we transplanted 100 cells of EGFPlow and EGFPhigh of 34LSKs into irradiated mice along with competitor cells (0×106 cells). Both LT-HSC populations presented multilineage repopulating capacity over 20 weeks. In addition, the EGFPlow cells indicated higher chimerism in the total peripheral blood than the EGFPhigh cells at any given time point. The contribution of the EGFPlow-derived cells in the peripheral blood of the recipient mice increased over time whereas EGFPhigh progeny gradually decreased over time. Under a stringent transplantation condition (30 donor cells with 0.4×106 competitor cells), 83.3% of the recipients that received the EGFPlow34LSK showed donor-derived progeny while the EGFPhigh were lower (20.0%) 8 weeks after transplantation. At Week 12, all the recipients with the EGFPlow34LSKs demonstrated donor-derived progeny; however, EGFPhigh 34LSKs-derived cells disappeared totally in all the transplants. These results suggest that the EGFPlow and the EGFPhigh cells in LT-HSCs possess distinct repopulating capacity: the EGFPlow cells are high and the EGFPhigh cells are low. To investigate the relationship between the EGFPlow and the EGFPhigh LT-HSC, we examined EGFP expression levels in the recipient mice grafted EGFPlow34KSL at least 24 weeks after transplantation. EGFPlow34LSK generated EGFPhigh cells in the donor-derived 34LSK population in the recipient mice, suggesting the possibility that the EGFPlow LT-HSCs support the production of the EGFPhigh LT-HSCs. In conclusion, we found that the expression levels of c-Myb protein subdivide LT-HSC population in correspondence with their respective multilineage repopulating capacities. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Lentivirally Transduced Human Cord Blood CD34+FLT3-ITD+ Cells Induce Murine Acute Leukemia in the NOD/SCID Transplantation Model.

AbstractAbstract 2984Targeting constitutively activated FLT3 (FLT3-ITD) by tyrosine kinase inhibition (TKI) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) leads to clearance of blasts in the periphery but not in the bone marrow, suggesting a protective effect of the marrow niche on leukemic stem cells (LSC). We have previously shown that interaction of CD34+FLT3-ITD+ LSC with stromal niche cells mimicking the bone marrow environment specifically protects these cells from the effects of TKI and confers a growth advantage to FLT3-ITD+ leukemic stem/progenitor cells over normal ones (Parmar et al, Cancer Research 2011). To study human FLT3-ITD+ LSC in vivo in the context of the bone marrow niche, we aimed to establish a xenogeneic NOD/SCID mouse model of human FLT3-ITD+AML.Human CD34+ enriched cord blood cells were transduced with a pWPI lentivirus containing a VSV-pseudotyped SIN/LTR vector with eGFP and full length human FLT3 cDNA harboring a 30 bp length internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) or empty vector control. Transduction efficiency ranged between 1–4.4% for FLT3-ITD and 1.3–18% for vector control. Sub-lethally irradiated NOD/SCID mice were then transplanted with 1 × 104 – 7 × 104 unselected or GFP-sorted CD34+FLT3-ITD+ cells. Acute leukemia developed in 7/9 animals after a median latency of 85 days (range 70–168), with involvement of peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen and liver. Three mice developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) whereas the remaining mice showed signs of AML. In contrast, mice receiving empty pWPI vector-transduced human CD34+ cord blood cells (n = 8) all remained healthy during the observation period of 28 weeks and, in 4/8 animals, normal human CD34+cells could be recovered from the bone marrow (human engraftment range 0.3–35.5%). Leukemic mice exhibited hepatomegaly and splenomegaly with an average 10-fold increase in spleen weight, 2-fold increase in spleen length and 2.7-fold increase in liver weight compared to control mice. In mice that developed ALL, lymph node enlargement was also noted. Whole bone marrow, spleen and liver cells from primary mice were re-transplanted and were able to reproduce acute leukemia in all secondary (n=10/10) and tertiary mice (n=11/11) with a median latency of 25 and 20 days, respectively (p<0.01).Surprisingly, detailed immunophenotypical and immunohistochemical analysis revealed all leukemias to be of murine origin. Leukemic cells stained positively for murine CD45.1 antigen but negatively for human CD45. However, a small population of human CD34+CD45+ cells (range 1–7%) was continuously detectable in the bone marrow of primary, secondary and tertiary transplanted leukemic mice. Accordingly, human FLT3-ITD was detectable by PCR specific for human FLT3 up to the third serial transplantation. Viral integration site analysis by LM-PCR on genomic DNA isolated from spleens of leukemic mice revealed lentiviral integration into the human genome, excluding the possibility of in vivo viral shuttling from human cord blood CD34+ cells to mouse hematopoietic stem cells. Moreover, multicolor fluorescent in situ hybridization (M-FISH) on metaphases generated from peripheral blood lymphocytes revealed only murine chromosomes, also ruling out the possibility of fusion between human and mouse cells. To further characterize these murine leukemias, we performed array CGH on murine spleen gDNA of four immunophenotypically different mice. All mice showed recurrent clonal chromosomal aberrations frequently found in AML. Surprisingly, we have no evidence for the presence of FLT3-ITD in these murine leukemias, suggesting that CD34+FLT3-ITD+ stem cells can trigger development of acute leukemia. We propose that leukemogenesis may mechanistically be related to the host microenvironment and that the bone marrow niche in NOD/SCID mice is susceptible to modulation by the FLT3-ITD oncogene. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

TARP‐associated AMPA receptors display an increased maximum channel conductance and multiple kinetically distinct open states

Fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the CNS is mediated mainly by AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs), whose biophysical properties are dramatically modulated by the presence of transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs). To help construct a kinetic model that will realistically describe native AMPAR/TARP function, we have examined the single-channel properties of homomeric GluA1 AMPARs in combination with the TARPs, γ-2, γ-4 and γ-5. In a saturating concentration of agonist, each of these AMPAR/TARP combinations gave rise to single-channel currents with multiple conductance levels that appeared intrinsic to the receptor-channel complex, and showed long-lived subconductance states. The open time and burst length distributions of the receptor complexes displayed multiple dwell-time components. In the case of γ-2- and γ-4-associated receptors, these distributions included a long-lived component lasting tens of milliseconds that was absent from both GluA1 alone and γ-5-associated receptors. The open time distributions for each conductance level required two dwell-time components, indicating that at each conductance level the channel occupies a minimum of two kinetically distinct open states. We have explored how these data place novel constraints on possible kinetic models of TARP-associated AMPARs that may be used to define AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission.

Gene delivery of TGF-β1 induces arthrofibrosis and chondrometaplasia of synovium in vivo

To understand the cellular and molecular events contributing to arthrofibrosis, we used an adenovirus to deliver and overexpress transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) cDNA (Ad.TGF-β1) in the knee joints of immunocompromised rats. Following delivery, animals were killed periodically, and joint tissues were examined macroscopically and histologically. PCR-array was used to assay alterations in expression patterns of extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated genes. By days 5 and 10, TGF-β1 induced an increase in knee diameter and complete encasement of joints in dense scar-like tissue, locking joints at 90° of flexion. Histologically, massive proliferation of synovial fibroblasts was seen, followed by their differentiation into myofibroblasts. The fibrotic tissue displaced the normal architecture of the joint capsule and fused with articular cartilage. RNA expression profiles showed high levels of transcription of numerous MMPs, matricellular and ECM proteins. By day 30, the phenotype of the fibrotic tissue had undergone chondrometaplasia, indicated by cellular morphology, matrix composition and >100-fold increases in expression of collagen type II and cartilage link protein. Pre-labeling of articular cells by injection with recombinant lentivirus containing eGFP cDNA showed fibrotic/cartilaginous tissues appeared to arise almost entirely from local proliferation and differentiation of resident fibroblasts. Altogether, these results indicate that TGF-β1 is a potent inducer of arthrofibrosis, and illustrate the proliferative potential and plasticity of articular fibroblasts. They suggest the mechanisms causing arthrofibrosis share many aspects with tumorigenesis.

P10. Novel method to investigate the interactions between melanocytes and keratinocytes in developing skin

Melanin pigmentation in the skin is crucial for protecting our body from UV irradiation. Melanins are synthesized by melanocytes within an intracellular organelle, called melanosome. The melanosomes are subsequently transferred to neighboring cells (keratinocytes) that eventually become pigmented. Thus, understanding how the melanosome-transfer is regulated is an important issue in developmental biology, cancer biology (melanoma), and also in cosmetic treatment. The melanosome-transfer has been proposed to be regulated by interactions between melanocytes and keratinocytes. However, little direct evidence at the molecular level has been available due to a lack of model system. It would be useful if neighboring melanocytes and keratinocytes are genetically manipulated. We have recently developed a long-term manipulation of melanocytes in late-stage embryos with transposon-mediated gene transfer, and also optimized a condition for ex-vivo culture of skin taken from such embryos. Combining with high resolution time-laps live imaging techniques, we have observed that melanosomes are transferred from EGFP-labeled melanocytes into a neighboring keratinocyte. Toward understanding how such melanosome-transfer is regulated by the keratinocyte, we have further developed a novel method where melanocytes and their neighboring keratinocytes are separately manipulated with exogenous genes, i.e. EGFP-melanocytes and Tomato-keratinocytes. EGFP cDNA is electroporated into early neural crest cells, precursors of melanocytes, of stage12 embryo. The same embryo is subsequently electroporated with Tomato cDNA into the epidermal ectoderm (precursor of keratinocytes). Such successive electroporation into two distinct origins of tissues allows melanocytes and keratinocytes to be labeled with EGFP and Tomato, respectively. Furthermore, we have observed an EGFP-melanocyte and Tomato-keratinocyte are adjacent to each other in the skin at later stages of development. This method has established a basis for manipulation of the two important cell types with candidate genes that are expected to regulate melanosome-transfer.

Disease-relevant autoantibodies in first episode schizophrenia

Disease-relevant autoantibodies in first episode schizophrenia

Lineage-specific transgene expression in hematopoietic cells using a Cre-regulated retroviral vector

Transduction of bone marrow stem cells with retroviral expression vectors represents a cheaper and more rapid alternative to conventional transgenesis for studies of in vivo gene function. However, achieving tissue-specific expression of genes inserted into retroviral vectors is notoriously difficult. We have developed a single tri-cistronic retroviral vector (MG fI4) that facilitates Cre-dependent, lineage-specific gene expression within hematopoietic cells. Bone marrow stem cells transduced with MG fI4 co-express a loxP-flanked (floxed) eGFP cDNA together with truncated human CD4 (hCD4Δ). Open reading frames (ORFs) cloned between these two cDNAs are not constitutively translated but are activated upon Cre-mediated removal of the eGFP cDNA. Mice reconstituted with transduced bone marrow stem cells obtained from Cd19-Cre, Cr2-Cre or Lck-Cre, donors were shown to specifically express an ORF insert in the appropriate lymphocyte subsets. Cells that had activated ORF expression were identifiable by transition from a GFP +, hCD4 + to a GFP −, hCD4 + phenotype. The use of this novel vector in conjunction with the wide range of well-characterized Cre-transgenic lines will be a versatile tool for exploring gene function within the immune system. In particular, this approach will provide a convenient way to test the functional significance of naturally occurring genetic mutations linked to human disease.

Subcellular localization of Mayven following expression of wild type and mutant EGFP tagged cDNAs

BackgroundProcess formation by glial cells is crucial to their function. Mayven, an actin binding, multi-domain polypeptide, and member of the BTB-BACK-Kelch family have been shown to be important in oligodendrocyte process extension. To assess the role of Mayven in neural cell process extension we have tracked the subcellular distribution of exogenous Mayven following expression of a rat Mayven -EGFP cDNA in a variety of neural cell backgrounds and specifically in OEC tranfectants following drug treatment to disrupt the integrity of the cytoskeleton. A comparison was made between the subcellular localization following transient transfection of OECs with full-length Mayven cDNA and a series of mutant domain constructs.ResultsThe subcellular location of Mayven in OEC transfectants showed a characteristic distribution with intense foci of staining towards the process tips corresponding to regions of accumulated Mayven overlapping in part with lammelipodial actin and was absent from the filipodia and the outer membrane. This signature pattern was also observed in Schwann cells, Oli-Neu cells, astrocytes and the neuroblastoma cell line B104 transfectants and resembled the exogenous and endogenous Mayven distribution in oligodendrocytes. This contrasted with the localization pattern in non-neural cells. There was a re-localization of Mayven in OEC transfectants following drug treatment to challenge the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton while breakdown of the microtubular component had no discernible impact on the accumulation of Mayven in the process tips. Deletion of the first three amino acids of the SH3 motif of the putative Fyn Kinase binding domain at the amino terminus significantly compromised this signature pattern as did the removal of the last Kelch repeat unit of six unit Kelch domain comprising the carboxyl terminus. In addition, there was a reduction in process length in mutant transfectants. Co-expression studies with a haemagglutinin (HA) tagged wild type Mayven cDNA and EGFP tagged mutant cDNAs suggested a homomeric interaction mediated by the BTB/POZ domain.ConclusionsExogenous Mayven is transported to the lamellipodia in neural transfectants associating with the actin cytoskeletal network. In addition to the importance of the internal BTB/POZ domain, this subcellular distribution pattern is dependent on the presence of an intact amino and carboxyl terminus.

Evidence for proteolytic processing and stimulated organelle redistribution of iPLA 2β

Over the past decade, important roles for the 84–88 kDa Group VIA Ca 2+-independent phospholipase A 2 (iPLA 2β) in various organs have been described. We demonstrated that iPLA 2β participates in insulin secretion, insulinoma cells and native pancreatic islets express full-length and truncated isoforms of iPLA 2β, and certain stimuli promote perinuclear localization of iPLA 2β. To gain a better understanding of its mobilization, iPLA 2β was expressed in INS-1 cells as a fusion protein with EGFP, enabling detection of subcellular localization of iPLA 2β by monitoring EGFP fluorescence. Cells stably-transfected with fusion protein expressed nearly 5-fold higher catalytic iPLA 2β activity than control cells transfected with EGFP cDNA alone, indicating that co-expression of EGFP does not interfere with manifestation of iPLA 2β activity. Dual fluorescence monitoring of EGFP and organelle Trackers combined with immunoblotting analyses revealed expression of truncated iPLA 2β isoforms in separate subcellular organelles. Exposure to secretagogues and induction of ER stress are known to activate iPLA 2β in β-cells and we find here that these stimuli promote differential localization of iPLA 2β in subcellular organelles. Further, mass spectrometric analyses identified iPLA 2β variants from which N-terminal residues were removed. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for endogenous proteolytic processing of iPLA 2β and redistribution of iPLA 2β variants in subcellular compartments. It might be proposed that in vivo processing of iPLA 2β facilitates its participation in multiple biological processes.

Usefulness of a Non-invasive Reporter System for Monitoring Reprogramming State in Pig Cells: Results of a Cell Fusion Experiment

Dedifferentiation of differentiated cells such as fibroblasts into pluripotent stem cells, so-called iPS cells, was first reported by Yamanaka et al., who successfully employed retroviral gene delivery of four stem-cell-specific transcription factors (Oct-3/4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-myc). Despite the mouse system in which an Oct-3/4 or Nanog promoter-based reporter system has already been established, there is no useful system in pigs for reporting the reprogramming state of gene-engineered cells. In this study, we constructed a pOEIN plasmid carrying a ca. 5.4-kb mouse Oct-3/4 promoter linked to the EGFP cDNA and neomycin expression unit and produced a porcine embryonic cell line stably incorporating it in the genome. Cell fusion with mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line F9 resulted in generation of colonies with distinct EGFP-derived fluorescence around 14 days after fusion. RT-PCR using these colonies also confirmed expression of endogenous porcine pluripotency-specific Oct-3/4, Sox2 and Stat3 mRNA. These findings suggest that mouse-derived components are sufficient to induce dedifferentiation of differentiated pig cells and also that reprogramming proceeds gradually. The present non-invasive reporter system will be useful to better define the reprogramming mechanism and/or to identify novel reprogramming molecules in the pig.

Regulation of TRPC1 and TRPC4 Cation Channels Requires an α1-Syntrophin-dependent Complex in Skeletal Mouse Myotubes

The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) is essential for skeletal muscle, and the lack of dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in a reduction of DAPC components such as syntrophins and in fiber necrosis. By anchoring various molecules, the syntrophins may confer a role in cell signaling to the DAPC. Calcium disorders and abnormally elevated cation influx in dystrophic muscle cells have suggested that the DAPC regulates some sarcolemmal cationic channels. We demonstrated previously that mini-dystrophin and alpha1-syntrophin restore normal cation entry in dystrophin-deficient myotubes and that sarcolemmal TRPC1 channels associate with dystrophin and the bound PDZ domain of alpha1-syntrophin. This study shows that small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of alpha1-syntrophin dysregulated cation influx in myotubes. Moreover, deletion of the PDZ-containing domain prevented restoration of normal cation entry by alpha1-syntrophin transfection in dystrophin-deficient myotubes. TRPC1 and TRPC4 channels are expressed at the sarcolemma of muscle cells; forced expression or siRNA silencing showed that cation influx regulated by alpha1-syntrophin is supported by TRPC1 and TRPC4. A molecular association was found between TRPC1 and TRPC4 channels and the alpha1-syntrophin-dystrophin complex. TRPC1 and TRPC4 channels may form sarcolemmal channels anchored to the DAPC, and alpha1-syntrophin is necessary to maintain the normal regulation of TRPC-supported cation entry in skeletal muscle. Cation channels with DAPC form a signaling complex that modulates cation entry and may be crucial for normal calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscles.

Cyclooxygenase-2 plays a critical role in retinal ganglion cell death after transient ischemia: Real-time monitoring of RGC survival using Thy-1-EGFP transgenic mice

The exact role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vivo following ischemia-reperfusion injury of the retina was unknown. We made transgenic mice in which the Thy-1.2 promoter drives the expression of EGFP cDNA (Thy-1-EGFP) in RGCs to monitor RGC survival and death in retinal whole mount preparations and in live animals. We show that celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, blocks RGC death after ischemic injury. Furthermore, in COX-2 knockout (COX-2 −/−) mice, RGCs are resistant to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Finally, we performed time-lapse monitoring of RGC death after ischemia in Thy-1-EGFP; COX-2 −/− mice. Our data show that COX-2 plays a crucial role in ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced RGC death. Inhibition of COX-2 activity may therefore be an effective therapy for neurodegenerative diseases of the retina and optic nerve.