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PubMed2006

Force measurements of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in an in vitro transplantation model.

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cardiomyocytes have been suggested for cardiac cell replacement therapy. However, there are no data on loaded contractions developed by these cells and the regulation thereof. We developed a novel in vitro transplantation model in which beating cardiomyocytes derived from hESCs (line H1) were isolated and transplanted onto noncontractile, ischemically damaged ventricular slices of murine hearts. After 2-3 days, transplanted cells started to integrate mechanically into the existing matrix, resulting in spontaneous movements of the whole preparation. Preparations showed a length-dependent increase of active tension. In transplanted early beating hESC-derived cardiomyocytes, frequency modulation by field stimulation was limited to a small range around their spontaneous beating rate. Our data demonstrate that this novel in vitro transplantation model is well suited to assess the mechanical properties and functional integration of cells suggested for cardiac replacement strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Chemosensitivity testing of human neoplasms using the soft agar colony assay.

An in vitro soft agar assay for cloning of primary human tumour cells and sensitivity testing to anticancer agents has been developed by Hamburger and Salmon (human tumour stem cell assay, HTSCA). Based on the stem cell model, this assay may predict chemosensitivity for a defined tumour cell subpopulation of human solid neoplasms. But, methodological problems like the representative quality of a tumour sample, the disaggregation as well as the limited plating efficiency have to be solved before the clinical value of this test can be evaluated. Depending on the histological tumour type a sufficient colony growth for chemosensitivity testing can only be obtained in about 1/3 of all cases. Because of the limited biopsy material, more than five anticancer agents can only be tested in half of all assays. Paradoxical dose-response relationships for cytostatic agents or radiation in vitro point to artifacts. In vivo pharmacokinetics can only be partly imitated by in vitro conditions. Quality-control trials using an established cell line reveal a variability of the in vitro test conditions for certain agents. In addition, the testing of different tumour biopsy samples of the same patient yields variable results. In spite of the methodological problems, large in vivo-in vitro trials show sufficient correlations. The results reflect the high proportion of resistance of human solid tumours. Further development and improvement of the assay promises application of the test system in preclinical testing of anticancer agents.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Herpesvirus saimiri-based gene delivery vectors maintain heterologous expression throughout mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation in vitro.

In order to achieve a high efficiency of gene delivery into rare cell types like stem cells the use of viral vectors is presently without alternative. An ideal stem cell gene therapy vector would be able to infect primitive progenitor cells and sustain or activate gene expression in differentiated progeny. However, many viral vectors are inactivated when introduced in developing systems where cell differentiation occurs. To this end, we have developed a mouse in vitro model for testing herpesvirus saimiri (HVS)-based gene therapy vectors. We demonstrate here for the first time that HVS is able to infect totipotent mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with high efficiency. We have transduced ES cells with a recombinant virus carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene and the neomycin resistance gene (NeoR) driven by a CMV promoter and the SV40 promoter, respectively. ES cells maintain the viral episomal genome and can be terminally differentiated into mature haematopoietic cells. Moreover, heterologous gene expression is maintained throughout in vitro differentiation. Besides its obvious use in gene therapy, this unique expression system has wide ranging applications in studies aimed at understanding gene function and expression in cell differentiation and development.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Isolation and characterization of multipotential mesenchymal stem cells from feline bone marrow.

OBJECTIVE: Although several types of stem cells have been isolated from rodent and human tissues, very few data exist on stem cell isolation from nonrodent animals, which seriously limits the advancement of stem cell biology and its ultimate translation to human clinical applications. Domestic cats are used frequently in biomedical research and are the preferred species for studies of normal physiology and disease, particularly in neuroscience. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from feline bone marrow for use in research on the application of stem cells to human health problems for which cats are the preferred model. METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells from feline bone marrow were isolated by standard methodology developed for other species and characterized according to morphology, growth traits, cell-surface antigen profile, and differentiation repertoire in vitro. RESULTS: Feline mesenchymal stem cells exhibit a fibroblast-like morphology with bipolar or polygonal cell bodies and possess a cell-surface antigen profile similar to their rodent and human counterparts. Feline MSC exist at a frequency of 1 in 3.8 x 10(5) bone marrow mononuclear cells and are capable of differentiation to adipocytic, osteocytic, and neuronal phenotypes when exposed to appropriate induction media. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from feline bone marrow possess several traits typical of MSC from other species. Characterization of feline mesenchymal stem cells will facilitate future studies of stem cell biology and therapeutics for which the domestic cat is an indispensable model.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2005

A stem cell fusion model of carcinogenesis.

The origin of cancer remains enigmatic. Current models of carcinogenesis based on the gene mutation hypothesis have limitations in explaining many aspects of cancer. We put forward a new model of multistage carcinogenesis and propose that cancer development involves gene mutations and cell fusions. Specifically, cancer can result from a fusion between an "altered" pre-malignant cell and a bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMDSC). "Aneuploidy", which is a hallmark of malignancy, is a direct consequence of this cell fusion. The "stem cell fusion" model explains the remarkable similarities between malignant cells and BMDSC. This model also explains why non-mutagens can be carcinogens, and why non-mutagenic processes, such as wound healing and chronic inflammation, can promote malignant transformation. This model is readily testable. Cancer has been difficult to treat because of tissue heterogeneity and gene instability. However, if the malignant characteristics of cancer cells are derived from BMDSC, new conserved targets such as homing receptors for designing novel therapies may emerge.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Radiobiological models of normal tissue reactions.

PURPOSE: The present review summarizes radiobiological models of normal tissue responses to radiation and their consequences for potential therapeutic interventions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Common radiobiological principles and pathogenetic models can be established for classes of tissues. These models may support the development of general modalities, both therapeutic and supportive, for the modulation of these responses. RESULTS: The stem cell concept, based on studies in standard tissue culture, describes the clonogenic survival after radiation treatment. The factors affecting cell survival are summarized as the 4 Rs of radiotherapy. Based on the stem cell concept, the reactions of normal tissue to ionising radiation were considered a consequence exclusively of the proliferative sterilisation of cells of a given target cell population. Once stem cells are inactivated, responses develop in a passive manner. However, recent studies into the pathogenesis of radiation tissue injury have clearly shown that numerous postirradiation events occur during the symptom-free latent time in irradiated cells and tissues, which modulate the manifestation of damage. These are summarized by models of tissue radiation pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular radiobiology and the tissue models based on the stem cell concept assume that exclusively the sterilisation of target cells is the radiation effect which results in both acute and late tissue responses. As a consequence, the radiation sensitivity can only be modulated by modification of radiobiological parameters at the time of irradiation, while at later time points only symptomatic treatment can be applied. Tissue radiation pathology, in contrast, allows for post-irradiation modification of the manifestation of radiation sequelae in tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Clonal evolution of stem and differentiated cells can be predicted by integrating cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic parameters.

Stem cells and their derivatives represent a renewable source of cells for therapeutic applications. However, the inability to quantitatively integrate and exploit the effects of multiple parameters on the fate of stem cells limits their use in clinical applications. To address this, we developed a computational model that combines probabilistic, individual-cell and deterministic cell-population parameters to simultaneously calculate the specific effects of exogenous and endogenous factors on the overall population-dynamics behaviour. The model tracks the progeny trajectory of individual cells over several generations as a threshold function of ligand-receptor signalling interactions. Simulations in silico were validated against an Oct 4-promoter-driven green-fluorescent-protein-expressing murine embryonic stem cell line, and used to understand the effects of key parameters on the clonal evolution of stem versus differentiated cells in this system. Our approach demonstrated the ability to distinguish between individual-cell and population-averaged parameters with respect to their effects on governing dynamic behaviour. Moreover, we could discriminate between digital versus graded regulation of the Oct 4 transcription factor in accounting for experimental observations. Finally, we showed that our approach could be generalized to other stem-cell systems, in particular the previously characterized intestinal crypt system, in elucidating relative contributions of stem and progenitor cells to population output. On the basis of all these results, we believe that our iterative experimental and computational approach has been found to be useful for the study of various stem-cell systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Limited plasticity of mesenchymal stem cells cocultured with adult cardiomyocytes.

In order to assess, in a controlled in vitro model, the differentiation potential of adult bone marrow derived stem cells we have developed a coculture procedure using adult rat cardiomyocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from transgenic GFP positive rats. We investigated in the cocultured MSCs the time course of cellular processes that are difficult to monitor in in vivo experiments. Adult rat cardiomyocytes and adult rat MSCs were cocultured for up to 7 days and analyzed by confocal microscopy. Several markers were studied by immunofluorescence technique. The fluorescent ST-BODIPY-Dihydropyridine was used to label calcium channels in living cells. Intracellular calcium was monitored with the fluorescent probe X-Rhod-1. Immunofluorescence experiments showed the presence of connexin-43 between cardiomyocytes and MSCs and between MSCs, while no sarcomeric structures were observed at any time of the coculture. We looked at the expression of calcium channels and development of voltage-dependent calcium signaling in cocultured MSCs. MSCs showed a time-dependent increase of labeling of ST-BODIPY-Dihydropyridine, reaching a relatively strong level after 72 h of coculture. The treatment with a non-fluorescent DHP, Nifedipine, completely abolished ST-BODIPY labeling. We investigated whether depolarization could modulate intracellular calcium. Depolarization-induced calcium transients increased in MSCs in relation to the coculture time. We conclude that MSCs cocultured with adult cardiomyocytes present preliminary evidence of voltage-dependent calcium modulation uncoupled with the development of nascent or adult myofibrils, thus showing a limited lineage specification and a low plasticity to differentiate in a full cardiomyocyte-like phenotype.

Actinin↗
PubMed2004

Non-thermal effects of power-line magnetic fields (50 Hz) on gene expression levels of pluripotent embryonic stem cells-the role of tumour suppressor p53.

The diffusion of extremely low-frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in the human environment raises the question of the induction of biological effects of EMF on mammalian cells. We used the model of mouse pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells, which have the capacity to develop in vitro into cells of all lineages, to analyse non-thermal effects of ELF-EMF. Wild type (wt) and p53-deficient ES cells were exposed under controlled conditions to ELF-EMF signals simulating power-line (50 Hz) magnetic field (PL-MF) exposure. Different flux densities of 0.1 mT, 1.0 mT or 2.3 mT and intermittency schemes with various ON/OFF cycles were applied for 6 h or 48 h during the first stages of cell differentiation. Transcript levels of regulatory genes, such as egr-1, p21, c-jun, c-myc, hsp70 and bcl-2, were analysed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR immediately after exposure or after a recovery time of 18 h. Intermittent PL-MF exposure to 5 min ON/30 min OFF cycles at a flux density of 2.3 mT for 6 h resulted in a significant up-regulation of c-jun, p21 and egr-1 mRNA levels in p53-deficient, but not in wild-type cells. No significant effects were observed in both cell systems by PL-MF at lower flux densities, longer exposure time or after 18 h recovery time. Our data indicate that 5 min ON/30 min OFF intermittent PL-MF exposure is capable of evoking non-thermal responses in ES cells, dependent on the cellular p53 function. The nature of the biological responses triggered by PL-MF is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Separate progenitors for radial and tangential cell dispersion during development of the cerebral neocortex.

Cell lineage analyses suggest that cortical neuroblasts are capable of undertaking both radial and tangential modes of cell movement. However, it is unclear whether distinct progenitors are committed to generating neuroblasts that disperse exclusively in either radial or tangential directions. Using highly unbalanced mouse stem cell chimeras, we have identified certain progenitors that are committed to one mode of cell dispersion only. Radially dispersed neurons expressed glutamate, the neurochemical signature of excitatory pyramidal cells. In contrast, tangential progenitors gave rise to widely scattered neurons that are predominantly GABAergic. These results suggest lineage-based mechanisms for early specification of certain progenitors to distinct dispersion pathways and neuronal phenotypes.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A microRNA polycistron as a potential human oncogene.

To date, more than 200 microRNAs have been described in humans; however, the precise functions of these regulatory, non-coding RNAs remains largely obscure. One cluster of microRNAs, the mir-17-92 polycistron, is located in a region of DNA that is amplified in human B-cell lymphomas. Here we compared B-cell lymphoma samples and cell lines to normal tissues, and found that the levels of the primary or mature microRNAs derived from the mir-17-92 locus are often substantially increased in these cancers. Enforced expression of the mir-17-92 cluster acted with c-myc expression to accelerate tumour development in a mouse B-cell lymphoma model. Tumours derived from haematopoietic stem cells expressing a subset of the mir-17-92 cluster and c-myc could be distinguished by an absence of apoptosis that was otherwise prevalent in c-myc-induced lymphomas. Together, these studies indicate that non-coding RNAs, specifically microRNAs, can modulate tumour formation, and implicate the mir-17-92 cluster as a potential human oncogene.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Developmental activation of the Rb-E2F pathway and establishment of cell cycle-regulated cyclin-dependent kinase activity during embryonic stem cell differentiation.

To understand cell cycle control mechanisms in early development and how they change during differentiation, we used embryonic stem cells to model embryonic events. Our results demonstrate that as pluripotent cells differentiate, the length of G(1) phase increases substantially. At the molecular level, this is associated with a significant change in the size of active cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) complexes, the establishment of cell cycle-regulated Cdk2 activity and the activation of a functional Rb-E2F pathway. The switch from constitutive to cell cycle-dependent Cdk2 activity coincides with temporal changes in cyclin A2 and E1 protein levels during the cell cycle. Transcriptional mechanisms underpin the down-regulation of cyclin levels and the establishment of their periodicity during differentiation. As pluripotent cells differentiate and pRb/p107 kinase activities become cell cycle dependent, the E2F-pRb pathway is activated and imposes cell cycle-regulated transcriptional control on E2F target genes, such as cyclin E1. These results suggest the existence of a feedback loop where Cdk2 controls its own activity through regulation of cyclin E1 transcription. Changes in rates of cell division, cell cycle structure and the establishment of cell cycle-regulated Cdk2 activity can therefore be explained by activation of the E2F-pRb pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Kinetics of early T-cell repopulation in fully xenogeneic chimeras (F344 rat----B10 mouse): evidence for rat T-cell maturation in a xenogeneic mouse thymus.

We recently reported the model of fully xenogeneic chimerism achieved by transplantation of rat bone marrow into mouse recipients (F344 rat----B10 mouse), resulting in stable long-term rat lymphoid chimerism. We have now extended this model to examine whether developing precursor rat T cells from rat bone marrow stem cells can undergo normal differentiation in mature lymphocytes under the influence of a xenogeneic mouse thymus. We examined thymic and splenic lymphoid cells from fully xenogeneic chimeras starting 1 week after bone marrow transplantation to characterize early T-cell repopulation and phenotype. Our data suggest that developing rat precursor T cells are able to undergo normal differentiation in the mouse thymus. The first precursor T cells appeared 2 weeks after reconstitution and by week 10 accounted for more than 90% of thymocytes present in the chimeras. In chimeras, developing rat T lymphocytes in the mouse thymus exhibited an immature pattern (Thy 1.1+, alpha beta-TCRdull, CD4+ plus CD8+) when analyzed by flow cytometry. This pattern was similar to a normal rat. In contrast, splenic T-lymphoid cells showed a mature rat phenotype (Thy 1.1-, alpha beta-TCRhi, CD4+ or CD8+), again similar to a normal rat. This development began 2 weeks after bone marrow transplantation, and both thymus and spleen from chimeras exhibited "normal" rat T-cell staining profiles by 10 weeks after reconstitution. Overall, these data indicate that developing rat T cells are capable of undergoing normal maturation in a xenogeneic mouse thymus of tolerant animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Production of transmitochondrial mice.

With the advancement of various gene transfer technologies, the establishment of mitochondria transfer as a viable technique to genetically engineer mouse models paradoxically lagged behind other genetic technologies. The lack of demonstrable recombination in mtDNA necessitates different approaches to conventional transgenesis-based techniques. Initially, heteroplasmic mice were created to explore disease pathogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics in an in vivo system. Ultimately, transmitochondrial mouse models will be used to explore the role of the mitochondrial genome in human disease processes and in the development of novel human gene therapies. Here, we describe methodology to produce transmitochondrial mice (both homoplasmic and heteroplasmic models) harboring foreign mitochondrial genomes, using both embryo microinjection and embryonic stem (ES) cell-based approaches. Specific modeling and the procedures for mitochondrial transfer will be of considerable importance toward our understanding of discrete mitochondrial mutations, as well as lead to the development of novel strategies and therapies for human diseases influenced by mitochondrial DNA mutations.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Adipose conversion of ob17 cells and hormone-related events.

The ob17 preadipocyte clonal line has been established from the adipocyte fraction of the epididymal fat pads of adult C57 BL/6J ob/ob mice. In vivo, injection of ouabain-resistant mutant cells (ob 17OR11 cell line) into athymic mice is followed by the formation of fat pads containing ouabain-resistant mature fat cells. In vitro, ob17 cells develop after confluence biochemical and morphological characteristics of adipocytes. The adipose conversion process is best represented by a stochastic model in which a pool of stem cells (adipoblasts) give rise to clusters of adipose cells and to additional stem cells that remain in the population. The role of the different factors involved in such conversion is discussed; (1) factors that enhance the number of susceptible cells (ACF or ACF-like compounds), (2) factors without which no adipose conversion takes place (triiodothyronine, growth hormone and other factors still to be characterized), (3) factors that enhance the expression of the differentiation program (insulin). The early emergence of lipoprotein lipase occurs normally in insulin-depleted medium. The separation of ob17 cells by isopycnic centrifugation shows that lipoprotein lipase is present at high levels in early differentiating cells which are still devoid of late markers, ie glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and triglycerides. These results are discussed with respect to the determination of cellularity during development of adipose tissue in vivo.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

HOXB4 overexpression promotes hematopoietic development by human embryonic stem cells.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a potential source of hematopoietic cells for therapeutic transplantation and can provide a model for human hematopoiesis. Culture of hESCs on murine stromal layers or in stromal-free conditions as embryoid bodies results in low levels of hematopoietic cells. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of the transcription factor HOXB4 considerably augments hematopoietic development of hESCs. Stable HOXB4-expressing hESC clones were generated by lipofection and could be maintained in the undifferentiated state for prolonged passages. Moreover, differentiation of hESCs as embryoid bodies in serum-containing medium without the use of additional cytokines led to sequential expansion of first erythroid and then myeloid and monocytic progenitors from day 10 of culture. These cells retained the capacity to develop into formed blood elements during in vitro culture. Consistent with the development of committed hematopoietic cells, we observed the expression of transcription factors known to be critical for hematopoietic development. We thus demonstrate successful use of enforced gene expression to promote the differentiation of hESCs into a terminally differentiated tissue, thereby revealing an important role for HOXB4 in supporting their in vitro development along the hematopoietic pathway.

Cell Culture Techniques↗
PubMed1990

Development of the vertebrate small intestine and mechanisms of cell differentiation.

The intestinal epithelium represents an attractive biological model of differentiation from stem cells to highly differentiated epithelial cells, not only during particular developmental events depending upon the vertebrate species considered but also throughout adult life. The ontogenic maturation of the intestinal epithelium arises from both a programmed expression of specific genes and epigenetic influences mainly due to epithelial and mesenchymal interactions and hormonal participation. In the present paper we review the structural and functional changes that occur in the amphibian, avian and mammalian intestine during embryonic and/or post-embryonic development. Furthermore, we review the data concerning the mechanisms which control the cytodifferentiation of the intestinal epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The cancer stem cell: evidence for its origin as an injured autoreactive T cell.

This review explores similarities between lymphocytes and cancer cells, and proposes a new model for the genesis of human cancer. We suggest that the development of cancer requires infection(s) during which antigenic determinants from pathogens mimicking self-antigens are co-presented to the immune system, leading to breaking T cell tolerance. Some level of autoimmunity is normal and necessary for effective pathogen eradication. However, autoreactive T cells must be eliminated by apoptosis when the immune response is terminated. Apoptosis can be deficient in the event of a weakened immune system, the causes of which are multifactorial. Some autoreactive T cells suffer genomic damage in this process, but manage to survive. The resulting cancer stem cell still retains some functions of an inflammatory T cell, so it seeks out sites of inflammation inside the body. Due to its defective constitutive production of inflammatory cytokines and other growth factors, a stroma is built at the site of inflammation similar to the temporary stroma built during wound healing. The cancer cells grow inside this stroma, forming a tumor that provides their vascular supply and protects them from cellular immune response. As cancer stem cells have plasticity comparable to normal stem cells, interactions with surrounding normal tissues cause them to give rise to all the various types of cancers, resembling differentiated tissue types. Metastases form at an advanced stage of the disease, with the proliferation of sites of inflammation inside the body following a similar mechanism. Immunosuppressive cancer therapies inadvertently re-invigorate pathogenic microorganisms and parasitic infections common to cancer, leading to a vicious circle of infection, autoimmunity and malignancy that ultimately dooms cancer patients. Based on this new understanding, we recommend a systemic approach to the development of cancer therapies that supports rather than antagonizes the immune system.

Animals↗