Expression Of Pluripotency Markers Research Articles

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell line (RCMGi009-A) from urine cells of patient with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Urine cells obtained from a 14-year-old man with genetically proven (ACVR1: c.6176G > A) and clinically manifested fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva were successfully transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells by using Sendai virus-based reprogramming vectors including the four Yamanaka factors such as OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC. These iPSCs expressed pluripotency markers, exhibited the potential to differentiate into three germ layers in spontaneous differentiation assay and had a normal karyotype. The iPSC line may provide a model for development of a personalized treatment including genome editing and drug screening, may be used for disease modelling, cell differentiation and pharmacological investigations..

Suspension culture improves iPSC expansion and pluripotency phenotype

BackgroundInduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine as a renewable source for islets, dopaminergic neurons, retinal cells, and cardiomyocytes. However, translation of these regenerative cell therapies requires cost-efficient mass manufacturing of high-quality human iPSCs. This study presents an improved three-dimensional Vertical-Wheel® bioreactor (3D suspension) cell expansion protocol with comparison to a two-dimensional (2D planar) protocol. MethodsSendai virus transfection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was used to establish mycoplasma and virus free iPSC lines without common genetic duplications or deletions. iPSCs were then expanded under 2D planar and 3D suspension culture conditions. We comparatively evaluated cell expansion capacity, genetic integrity, pluripotency phenotype, and in vitro and in vivo pluripotency potential of iPSCs.ResultsExpansion of iPSCs using Vertical-Wheel® bioreactors achieved 93.8-fold (IQR 30.2) growth compared to 19.1 (IQR 4.0) in 2D (p < 0.0022), the largest expansion potential reported to date over 5 days. 0.5 L Vertical-Wheel® bioreactors achieved similar expansion and further reduced iPSC production cost. 3D suspension expanded cells had increased proliferation, measured as Ki67+ expression using flow cytometry (3D: 69.4% [IQR 5.5%] vs. 2D: 57.4% [IQR 10.9%], p = 0.0022), and had a higher frequency of pluripotency marker (Oct4+Nanog+Sox2+) expression (3D: 94.3 [IQR 1.4] vs. 2D: 52.5% [IQR 5.6], p = 0.0079). q-PCR genetic analysis demonstrated a lack of duplications or deletions at the 8 most commonly mutated regions within iPSC lines after long-term passaging (> 25). 2D-cultured cells displayed a primed pluripotency phenotype, which transitioned to naïve after 3D-culture. Both 2D and 3D cells were capable of trilineage differentiation and following teratoma, 2D-expanded cells generated predominantly solid teratomas, while 3D-expanded cells produced more mature and predominantly cystic teratomas with lower Ki67+ expression within teratomas (3D: 16.7% [IQR 3.2%] vs.. 2D: 45.3% [IQR 3.0%], p = 0.002) in keeping with a naïve phenotype.ConclusionThis study demonstrates nearly 100-fold iPSC expansion over 5-days using our 3D suspension culture protocol in Vertical-Wheel® bioreactors, the largest cell growth reported to date. 3D expanded cells showed enhanced in vitro and in vivo pluripotency phenotype that may support more efficient scale-up strategies and safer clinical implementation.

Suspension culture on microcarriers and as aggregates enables expansion and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs)

Background aimsHuman pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold a great promise for promoting regenerative medical therapies due to their ability to generate multiple mature cell types and for their high expansion potential. However, cell therapies require large numbers of cells to achieve desired therapeutic effects, and traditional two-dimensional static culture methods cannot meet the required production demand for cellular therapies. One solution to this problem is scaling up expansion of PSCs in bioreactors using culture strategies such as growing cells on microcarriers or as aggregates in suspension culture. MethodsIn this study, we directly compared PSC expansion and quality parameters in microcarrier- and aggregate-cultures grown in single-use vertical-wheel bioreactors. ResultsWe showed comparable expansion of cells on microcarriers and as aggregates by day 6 with a cell density reaching 2.2 × 106 cells/mL and 1.8 × 106 cells/mL and a fold-expansion of 22- and 18-fold, respectively. PSCs cultured on microcarriers and as aggregates were comparable with parallel two-dimensional cultures and with each other in terms of pluripotency marker expression and retention of other pluripotency characteristics as well as differentiation potential into three germ layers, neural precursor cells and cardiomyocytes. ConclusionsOur study did not demonstrate a clear advantage between the two three-dimensional methods for the quality parameters assessed. This analysis adds support to the use of bioreactor systems for large scale expansion of PSCs, demonstrating that the cells retain key characteristics of PSCs and differentiation potential in suspension culture.

Generation and characterisation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line, NIMHi007-A, from peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from an adult healthy female

We report the generation and characterisation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, NIMHi007-A, derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a healthy female adult individual. PBMCs were reprogrammed using the non-integrating Sendai virus consisting of Yamanaka reprogramming factors- SOX2, cMYC, KLF4, and OCT4. The iPSCs displayed a normal karyotype, express pluripotency markers, and could generate into three germ layers, endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm, in-vitro. This iPSC line, NIMHi007-A, can be used as a healthy control for various in-vitro disease models and study their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

CRISPR-Cas9 in hiPSCs: A new era in personalized treatment for Stargardt disease

CRISPR-Cas9 in hiPSCs: A new era in personalized treatment for Stargardt disease

Deletion of p66Shc dysregulates ERK and STAT3 activity in embryonic stem cells, enhancing their naïve-like self-renewal in the presence of LIF.

The ShcA adapter protein is necessary for early embryonic development. The role of ShcA in development is primarily attributed to its 52kDa and 46kDa isoforms, that transduce receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling via the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). During embryogenesis, ERK acts as the primary signalling effector, driving fate acquisition and germ layer specification. P66Shc, the largest of the ShcA isoforms, has been observed to antagonize ERK in several contexts, however its role during embryonic development remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that p66Shc could act as a negative regulator of ERK activity during embryonic development, antagonizing early lineage commitment. To explore the role of p66Shc in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, we created a p66Shc knockout (KO) murine embryonic stem cell (mESC) line. Deletion of p66Shc enhanced basal ERK activity, but surprisingly, instead of inducing mESC differentiation, loss of p66Shc enhanced the expression of core and naïve pluripotency markers. Using pharmacologic inhibitors to interrogate potential signalling mechanisms, we discovered that p66Shc deletion permits the self-renewal of naïve mESCs in the absence of conventional growth factors, by increasing their responsiveness to leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). We discovered that loss of p66Shc enhanced not only increased ERK phosphorylation but also increased phosphorylation of Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3(S727)) in mESCs, which may be acting to stabilize their naïve-like identity, desensitizing them to ERK-mediated differentiation cues. These findings identify p66Shc as a regulator of both LIF-mediated ESC pluripotency and of signaling cascades that initiate post-implantation embryonic development and ESC commitment.

Establishment of an induced pluripotent stem cell line SDQLCHi048-A from a healthy boy donor

The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) line was generated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a healthy 1-month-old boy. Expression of pluripotency markers, deletion of free episomal vectors, preservation of normal karyotype, and potential for in vitro trilineage differentiation were demonstrated in the iPSCs line SDQLCHi048-A. This cell line may serve as a basis for disease modeling and help to further explore the molecular pathogenesis.

Generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line (FDCHi010-A) from a patient with Xia-Gibbs syndrome carrying AHDC1 mutation (c.2062C > T)

A human induced pluripotent stem cell line (iPSC), FDCHi010-A, was derived from the peripheral blood of a 3-year-old patient with the c.2062C > T (p.R688*) mutation in the AHDC1 gene. The established cell line displayed a typical human embryonic stem cell-like morphology, exhibited a normal euploid karyotype, and fully expressed pluripotency markers. In addition, it retained the ability to differentiate to three germ layers. This cell line with a specific mutation may provide a useful tool for studying the pathogenesis and drug therapy screening of Xia-Gibbs syndrome caused by the AHDC1 gene.

A prime editor efficiently repaired human induced pluripotent stem cells with AR gene mutation (c.2710G > A; p. V904M)

Prime Editor (PE) is a precise genome manipulation technology based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system, while its application in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) remains limited. Here, we established a repaired hiPS cell line (SKLRMi001-A-1) from hiPSCs with androgen receptor (AR) mutation (c.2710G > A; p.V904M). The repaired iPSC line expressed pluripotency markers, retained normal karyotype, showed the capability of differentiating into three germ layers and was absence of mycoplasma infection. The repaired iPSC line will help to elucidate the mechanism of androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and benefit treatment for AIS in the future.

Generation and characterization of a human iPSC line (JUFMDOi007-A) from a patient with Usher syndrome due to mutation in USH2A

Usher syndrome type 2A (USH2A) gene mutations have been identified as the most frequent genetic causes of hereditary deafness in Usher syndrome, and an effective treatment has yet to be established. The encoded protein, Usherin, is essential for the ankle link associated with extracellular connections between the stereocilia of inner ear hair cells. We report the generation of a patient-derived USH2A iPSC line with compound mutations c.1907_1912ATGTTT > TCACAG (p.D636V + V637T + C638G) and c.8328_8329delAA (p.L2276fs*12). The iPSC showed the expression of pluripotency markers, the ability to differentiate into three germ layers in vitro, and USH2A mutations with normal karyotype.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line SDPHi002-A from a patient with lung cancer

Here, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from a patient with lung neuroendocrine carcinoma was generated. The iPSCs were developed using nonintegrating episomal vectors carrying OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, BCL-XL and c-MYC. The established iPSCs (SDPHi002-A) had normal karyotype, excellent differentiation potential in vitro, showing pluripotent stem cell morphology and high expression of pluripotent markers.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell line (UKWNLi008) derived from a patient carrying a c.1678C>G variant in the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member (TRPA1) gene potentially associated with small fiber neuropathy

Using human dermal fibroblasts (hdF) derived from a patient carrying a c.1678C>G variant located in the TRPA1 gene, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) were generated. Cells were reprogrammed via non-modified (NM) RNA-based transfection resulting in three clones. All three clones showed typical embryonic stem cell-like properties including expression of pluripotency markers, morphology, normal karyotype, and potential differentiation in all three germ layers. With this novel cell line, we offer an in vitro option to study TRPA1 gene variant c.1678C>G and its potential involvement in the development of neuropathic pain as a symptom of small fiber neuropathy (SFN).

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line carrying a biallelic deletion (SCTCi019-A) in GCDH using CRISPR/Cas9

GCDH encodes for the enzyme catalyzing the sixth step of the lysine catabolism pathway. Biallelic pathogenic variants in GCDH have been associated with glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1). In this study CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to create an isogenic GCDH knock-out human iPSC line. One clone with a biallelic deletion (SCTCi019-A) in GCDH was obtained and fully characterized, revealing a normal karyotype, no off-targets detected and expression of pluripotency markers. This iPSC line can contribute to gain insights in the molecular mechanism of disease.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line (INNDSUi002-A) from a patient with riboflavin-responsive multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

Mutations in the ETFDH gene, encoding electron transfer flavoprotein dehydrogenase, have been identified to cause riboflavin-responsive multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (RR-MADD) (Wen et al., 2010). We performed the generation and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from skin fibroblasts of a patient with RR-MADD carrying two heterozygous ETFDH mutations (p.D130V and p.A84V). Their pluripotency was verified by the expression of several pluripotency markers on RNA and protein levels and the capability to differentiate into all three germ layers.

Generation of one induced pluripotent cell (iPSC) line (BBANTWi011-A) from a patient carrying an IPO8 bi-allelic loss-of-function mutation

Patients carrying IPO8 bi-allelic loss-of-function variants have a highly consistent phenotype that resembles the phenotype of Loeys-Dietz syndrome. They present with early onset thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and connective tissue findings such as arachnodactyly and joint hypermobility. Other recurrent phenotypic manifestations include facial dysmorphisms, a high arched or cleft palate/bifid uvula and motor developmental delay. An iPSC line (BBANTWi011-A) was generated started from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient carrying a homozygous variant in the IPO8 gene (MIM: 605600, NM_006390.3: c.1420C>T, p.(Arg474*)). PBMCs were reprogrammed using the Cytotune®-iPS 2.0 Sendai Reprogramming Kit (Invitrogen). The generated iPSCs are expressing pluripotency markers and are able to differentiate into the three germ layers.

Exploring Novel Therapeutic Opportunities for Glioblastoma Using Patient-Derived Cell Cultures

Glioblastomas (GBM) are the most common, primary brain tumors in adults. Despite advances in neurosurgery and radio- and chemotherapy, the median survival of GBM patients is 15 months. Recent large-scale genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses have shown the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of GBMs, which hampers the outcomes of standard therapies. We have established 13 GBM-derived cell cultures from fresh tumor specimens and characterized them molecularly using RNA-seq, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Evaluation of proneural (OLIG2, IDH1R132H, TP53 and PDGFRα), classical (EGFR) and mesenchymal markers (CHI3L1/YKL40, CD44 and phospho-STAT3), and the expression of pluripotency (SOX2, OLIG2, NESTIN) and differentiation (GFAP, MAP2, β-Tubulin III) markers revealed the striking intertumor heterogeneity of primary GBM cell cultures. Upregulated expression of VIMENTIN, N-CADHERIN and CD44 at the mRNA/protein levels suggested increased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in most studied cell cultures. The effects of temozolomide (TMZ) or doxorubicin (DOX) were tested in three GBM-derived cell cultures with different methylation status of the MGMT promoter. Amongst TMZ- or DOX-treated cultures, the strongest accumulation of the apoptotic markers caspase 7 and PARP were found in WG4 cells with methylated MGMT, suggesting that its methylation status predicts vulnerability to both drugs. As many GBM-derived cells showed high EGFR levels, we tested the effects of AG1478, an EGFR inhibitor, on downstream signaling pathways. AG1478 caused decreased levels of phospho-STAT3, and thus inhibition of active STAT3 augmented antitumor effects of DOX and TMZ in cells with methylated and intermediate status of MGMT. Altogether, our findings show that GBM-derived cell cultures mimic the considerable tumor heterogeneity, and that identifying patient-specific signaling vulnerabilities can assist in overcoming therapy resistance, by providing personalized combinatorial treatment recommendations.

Induced human pluripotent stem cells (HEBHMUi013-A) derived from a patient of sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (sAD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, which is characterized by the progressive cognitive dysfunction and behavioral impairment. Here, we generated a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from a 78-year-old male patient clinically diagnosed with sAD. The iPSC line expressed pluripotency markers, showed normal karyotype, and had the ability to differentiate into three germ layers in vitro. This iPSC line may provide a powerful tool for modeling AD in vitro and studying the pathogenesis of sAD.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line from an aortic dissection patient carrying MCTP2/c.2635T > G mutation

Aortic dissection (AD) is a lethal cardiovascular disease that is related to a genetic mutation. This study showed the generation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line (iPSC-ZPR-4-P10) from AD patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells that carried a c.2635T > G mutation in MCTP2. The iPSC line demonstrated normal karyotype and expression of pluripotency markers, which could be an efficient tool to better investigate the mechanism of aortic dissection.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a microvillus inclusion disease patient with a homozygous missense mutation in UNC45A

Mutations in UNC45A, a co-chaperone for myosins, were recently found causative of a syndrome combining cholestasis, diarrhea, loss of hearing and bone fragility. We generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a patient with a homozygous missense mutation in UNC45A. Cells from this patient, which were reprogrammed using integration-free Sendaï virus, have normal karyotype, express pluripotency markers and are able to differentiate into the three germ cell layers.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line of a Marfan syndrome patient with a pathogenic FBN1 c.5372G > A (p.Cys1791Tyr) variant

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder with pleiotropic manifestations in the ocular, skeletal and cardiovascular system. Ruptured aortic aneurysms in MFS patients are associated with high mortality rates. MFS is typically caused by pathogenic variants in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. Here, we report a generated induced pluripotent cell (iPSC) line of a MFS patient with a FBN1 c.5372G > A (p.Cys1791Tyr) variant. For that, skin fibroblasts of a MFS patient carrying a FBN1 c.5372G > A (p.Cys1791Tyr) variant were successfully reprogrammed into iPSCs using the CytoTune™-iPS 2.0 Sendai Kit (Invitrogen). The iPSCs showed a normal karyotype, expressed pluripotency markers, were able to differentiate into three germ layers and carried the original genotype.