Article
Reproductive Biology
Jennie Au, Daniela F. Requena, Hannah Rishik, Sampada Kallol, Chandana Tekkatte, Omar A. Farah, Ryan Kittle, Morgan Meads, Anna Wakeland, Francesca Soncin
Summary: Autocrine Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling regulates the development of the extraembryonic compartment by modulating trophoblast stem cell maintenance and blunting differentiation. Insighting on the role of the BMP signaling in early development might prove useful in in vitro fertilization and targeting trophoblast-associated placental dysfunction.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Zahra Anvar, Imen Chakchouk, Momal Sharif, Sangeetha Mahadevan, Li Su, Swathi Anikar, Fatemeh Alavi Naini, Alloysius Budi Utama, Ignatia B. van den Veyver
Summary: Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into trophoblast-like cells can be achieved by culturing them in media containing bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4). Various media containing BMP4 were compared, and it was found that they differentially drove early differentiation towards trophoblast-like lineages. Each media had its advantages and disadvantages, and selection of a protocol for specific experiments needs to consider these factors.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Jin Jang, Mijeong Kim, Bum-Kyu Lee, Jonghwan Kim
Summary: The authors developed a simple procedure to convert human primed pluripotent stem cells into trophoblast stem-like cells using bone morphogenetic protein 4, providing an important opportunity to study human placenta development and pathology.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Teka Khan, Arun S. Seetharam, Jie Zhou, Nathan J. Bivens, Danny J. Schust, Toshihiko Ezashi, Geetu Tuteja, R. Michael Roberts
Summary: The study reveals the complexity of trophoblast lineage emergence using the BAP model, showing distinct characteristics of trophoblast cells under different oxygen conditions. Transcriptomic and cluster analyses suggest potential fusion events and different gene expression patterns in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bianca Dietrich, Sandra Haider, Gudrun Meinhardt, Juergen Pollheimer, Martin Knoefler
Summary: This article discusses two important signaling pathways, WNT and NOTCH, in the development of human placenta and trophoblasts. The WNT pathway is necessary for the expansion of trophoblast progenitors and stem cells, while NOTCH1 is required for the proliferation and survival of extravillous trophoblast precursors.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruth Hornbachner, Andreas Lackner, Henrieta Papuchova, Sandra Haider, Martin Knoefler, Karl Mechtler, Paulina A. Latos
Summary: The study identified MSX2 as a key transcriptional regulator of trophoblast identity, which can prevent premature syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. MSX2 co-operates with the SWI/SNF complex to regulate multiple differentiation genes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Takahiro Sogo, Shu Nakao, Tasuku Tsukamoto, Tomoe Ueyama, Yukihiro Harada, Dai Ihara, Tomoaki Ishida, Masato Nakahara, Koji Hasegawa, Yuka Akagi, Yasuyuki S. Kida, Osamu Nakagawa, Teruyuki Nagamune, Masahiro Kawahara, Teruhisa Kawamura
Summary: In this study, an inexpensive molecule-responsive differentiation-inducing chimeric antigen receptor (diCAR) was generated, which successfully activated Wnt3a signaling and promoted the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes. This research is expected to be an economical and powerful tool for stem cell-based regeneration therapy.
INFLAMMATION AND REGENERATION
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Ian James Bell, Matthew Sheldon Horn, Terence John Van Raay
Summary: The non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways have different roles in cancer and development, involving calcium and Vangl2. Cells tend to choose non-canonical Wnt signaling over canonical Wnt signaling when presented with a choice, but this occurs rarely in vivo.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Koki Kimura, Shiori Yamamori, Masaharu Hazawa, Jingjing Kobayashi-Sun, Mao Kondo, Richard W. Wong, Isao Kobayashi
Summary: Using a stromal cell line from the zebrafish kidney, researchers found that an inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling, IWR-1-endo, is a potent regulator of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The stromal cells weakly expressed HSC maintenance factors but highly expressed canonical Wnt ligand genes. Adding IWR-1-endo or inhibiting canonical Wnt signaling increased the number of HSCs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna L. James, Abbey Lissaman, Yohanes N. S. Nursalim, Lawrence W. Chamley
Summary: The use of in vitro tools to study trophoblast differentiation and function is crucial for understanding placental development. Various models including primary trophoblasts, placental explants, stem cell models, and organoid cultures have provided insights into the complex microenvironment and cell-cell crosstalk involved in this process. However, it is important to consider the strengths and limitations of each model and accurately interpret the in vitro data in relation to in vivo aspects of human placentation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Jiaying Qin, Wanqiong Li, Bo Lv, Zhigang Xue, Jinfeng Xue
Summary: During embryo development, the totipotent blastomere undergoes the first lineage decision, resulting in the formation of the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE). The ICM develops into the fetus, while the TE forms the placenta, which acts as the interface between maternal and fetal bloodstreams. Proper differentiation of trophoblast lineage is crucial for placental and fetal development, and abnormalities in this process are associated with pregnancy disorders and fetal growth restriction. This review focuses on the early differentiation and key regulatory factors of trophoblast lineage, which have been poorly understood. Additionally, recent developments in trophoblast stem cells, trophectoderm stem cells, and blastoids provide accessible models to study embryo implantation and placentation.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobin Han, Zhongjie Sun
Summary: This study demonstrates that adult mammalian kidney stem cells have the regenerative capacity to generate kidney organoids. The kidney organoids consist of various cell types and structures and can be formed through different culturing methods.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shuhei Kanagaki, Satoshi Ikeo, Takahiro Suezawa, Yuki Yamamoto, Masahide Seki, Toyohiro Hirai, Masatoshi Hagiwara, Yutaka Suzuki, Shimpei Gotoh
Summary: The study identified a type of AT1 cells derived from hiPSC through single-cell RNA sequencing, and confirmed their presence mainly in fibroblast-dependent alveolar organoids. Additionally, the transcriptomes of these cells were found to be highly similar to primary AT1 cells.
Article
Developmental Biology
Bianca Dietrich, Victoria Kunihs, Andreas I. Lackner, Gudrun Meinhardt, Bon-Kyoung Koo, Jurgen Pollheimer, Sandra Haider, Martin Knoefler
Summary: This study reveals that autocrine NOTCH3 signaling controls human placental development by promoting self-renewal of cytotrophoblast progenitors.
Article
Oncology
Miguel Angel Sarabia-Sanchez, Angela Patricia Moreno-Londono, Maria Cristina Castaneda-Patlan, Eduardo Alvarado-Ortiz, Juan Carlos Martinez-Morales, Martha Robles-Flores
Summary: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in tumor growth, chemoresistance, and metastasis. The non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway is found to be important for the functions of CSCs in colon cancer. Activation of the Wnt/Ca2+ signaling axis by Wnt3a and Wnt5a promotes sphere formation and proliferation of CSCs, independent of β-catenin-dependent transcription.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
