Article
Cell Biology
Shahnaz Babaei-Abraki, Fereshteh Karamali, Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
Summary: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to differentiate into different types of cells, making them a valuable source for therapeutic applications. However, hESCs are prone to cell death after dissociation, which hinders their use. Recent research has found that hESCs can undergo a form of programmed cell death called ferroptosis, which is different from previously observed cell death processes. Ferroptosis is triggered by an increase in intracellular iron, and it is distinct from other forms of cell death in terms of its biochemical, morphological, and genetic characteristics.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masaki Kinoshita, Meng Amy Li, Michael Barber, William Mansfield, Sabine Dietmann, Austin Smith
Summary: Genome remethylation is crucial for mammalian development, with a study showing that deficiencies in Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b lead to ES cells developing into trophoblast cells due to failed suppression of Ascl2. Regulating the expression of Ascl2 can impact the transdifferentiation and contribution of ES cells.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingjie Hang, Xiaoliang Ma, Chunxiao Liu, Siyuan Li, Sixuan Zhang, Ruyan Feng, Qianwen Shang, Qi Liu, Zhaozhao Ding, Xiaoyi Zhang, Liyin Yu, Qiang Lu, Changshun Shao, Hong Chen, Yufang Shi, Jiuyang He, David L. Kaplan
Summary: The development of anisotropic silk protein nanofiber-based hydrogels enables mouse embryonic stem cells to maintain stemness in vitro without the need for leukemia inhibitory factor and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, resulting in superior pluripotency and genetic stability. The hydrogels establish an improved dynamic niche that stimulates autocrine factor secretion and maintains pluripotency and propagation of ESCs, offering a simple and cost-effective option for expansion and utility of ESCs in research and therapy, while providing insights into early mammalian embryogenesis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yahong Wu, Weiwei Zhang
Summary: Pluripotent stem cells, including ESCs and iPSCs, are crucial for studying early development and treating diseases, with ubiquitination playing a key role in pluripotency regulation, particularly through the actions of E3 ligases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Anderson Tan, Renuka Prasad, Eek-hoon Jho
Summary: TFEB plays a crucial role in mESCs by regulating PTN to maintain pluripotency, with interactions involving Nanog and Sox2. While high levels of TFEB are expected to enhance autophagy-lysosomal activity, undifferentiated mESCs surprisingly display low basal levels.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Olivieri, Eleonora Castelli, Yumiko K. Kawamura, Panagiotis Papasaikas, Ilya Lukonin, Melanie Rittirsch, Daniel Hess, Sebastien A. Smallwood, Michael B. Stadler, Antoine H. F. M. Peters, Joerg Betschinger
Summary: Mouse embryonic stem cells are biased towards producing embryonic endoderm rather than extraembryonic endoderm, which is regulated by transcriptional repressors Hdac3 and Dax1. Pluripotency factors Nr5a2 and Esrrb promote cell type conversion, and perturbation of the barrier extends mESC potency. This study shows that transcriptional repressors stabilize pluripotency by biasing the equilibrium between embryonic and extraembryonic lineages in mESCs.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Swati Mishra, Jasin Taelman, Mina Popovic, Laurentijn Tilleman, Evi Duthoo, Margot van der Jeught, Dieter Deforce, Filip van Nieuwerburgh, Bjoern Menten, Petra de Sutter, Annekatrien Boel, Susana M. Chuva De Sousa Lopes, Bjorn Heindryckx
Summary: This study found that continuous supplementation of ActA during differentiation of hESCs can promote differentiation into PGCLCs, and conversion to the 4i-state is beneficial for this process. The obtained PGCLCs may further differentiate into mature germ cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yujie Liu, Han Wang, Min Shao, Ying Jin, Bing Liao
Summary: Mitochondrial respiration plays a pivotal role in maintaining the stemness of mature human embryonic stem cells, and perturbations of mitochondrial respiration impair cell identity and function.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samuel Bharti, Abhishek Sengupta, Parul Chugh, Priyanka Narad
Summary: This study establishes a metabolic model of hESC using genome scale model reduction and literature curation, and explores the dynamic changes in energy metabolism of hESC under low oxygen conditions. By investigating energy subsystem pathways and nutrient metabolites, the study identifies a critical range for hESC metabolic pathway and provides preliminary data for further prospective studies. The model also shows promise in predicting flux behavior of metabolites in hESC.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuko Okamoto, Hideaki Fujita, Yasushi Okada, Soya Shinkai, Shuichi Onami, Kuniya Abe, Kenta Fujimoto, Kensuke Sasaki, Go Shioi, Tomonobu M. Watanabe
Summary: Nanog and Oct4 are core transcription factors that regulate pluripotency maintenance in mouse ESCs. The interaction time between Nanog and its target loci increases upon reduced expression or differentiation onset, suggesting a feedback mechanism for pluripotency maintenance. The expression level and interaction frequency of Nanog and Oct4 are correlated with their fluctuation and depend on ESC differentiation status. The DNA viscoelasticity near Oct4 target locus remains flexible during differentiation, supporting its role in chromatin opening or binding to uncondensed regions. These findings propose a new negative feedback mechanism for pluripotency maintenance via the DNA condensation state-dependent interplay of Nanog and Oct4.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Mijo Simunovic, Eric D. Siggia, Ali H. Brivanlou
Summary: Due to technical and ethical limitations, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms surrounding human embryo implantation and gastrulation is limited. Researchers have proposed alternative methods, such as differentiating embryonic stem cells, to simulate aspects of human embryogenesis. However, modeling post-attachment events remains challenging. In this study, the authors suggest a strategy to assemble pre-formed epithelial epiblast and extraembryonic cells, allowing them to self-organize into a structure that mimics the attached human embryo, facilitating the study of post-attachment development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kang-Xuan Jin, Rujuan Zuo, Konstantinos Anastassiadis, Arne Klungland, Carsten Marr, Adam Filipczyk
Summary: This study investigates the impact of m(6)A deposition on mRNA on the fate of pluripotent stem cells, revealing that it regulates cell fate through modulation of mRNA stability. The results show that m(6)A depletion activates pErk and pAkt signaling pathways, affecting both the maintenance of pluripotency and lineage commitment decisions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Oliver Brookes, Stephen D. Thorpe, Olga Rigby Evans, Michael C. Keeling, David A. Lee
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between biomechanical properties and pluripotency gene expression in murine embryonic stem cells, revealing considerable variation among cells, with high pluripotency gene expression correlating to lower cell stiffness.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Seong-Min Kim, Eun-Ji Kwon, Yun-Jeong Kim, Young-Hyun Go, Ji-Young Oh, Seokwoo Park, Jeong Tae Do, Keun-Tae Kim, Hyuk-Jin Cha
Summary: This study discovered the differential roles of Shp2 in naive and primed pluripotency and proposed the usage of iShp2 instead of iMek1 for the efficient maintenance and establishment of naive pluripotency.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shuai Zhao, Ying Cui, Shunli Guo, Boyang Liu, Yuehong Bian, Shigang Zhao, Zijiang Chen, Han Zhao
Summary: In this study, novel biallelic variants in the paternal-effect genes ACTL7A and PLCZ1 were identified, expanding the spectrum of genetic causes and facilitating the genetic diagnosis of male infertility with total fertilization failure (TFF).
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lihong Pang, Wenhao Yu, Jiale Lv, Yunde Dou, Han Zhao, Shanshan Li, Yuming Guo, Gongbo Chen, Linlin Cui, Jingmei Hu, Yueran Zhao, Qi Zhao, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: This study investigates the association between exposure to different air pollutants and ovarian reserve in Shandong Province, China. The findings show a negative association between air pollution and ovarian reserve, particularly during the primary to secondary follicle stage. This association varies among different population sub-groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi Jiang, Ruolan Miao, Yuhuan Wang, Wenqi Wang, Dingying Zhao, Yue Niu, Qiaoqiao Ding, Yan Li, Peter C. K. Leung, Daimin Wei, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and heterogeneous endocrine disorder, which is the main cause of ovulatory obstacle associated with abnormal folliculogenesis. Dysfunction of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is recognized as a major factor that underlies abnormal follicle maturation. The expression of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in GCs differs between patients with and without PCOS. In this study, ANGPTL4 was found to be upregulated in patients with PCOS and its overexpression inhibited the proliferation of GCs through the EGFR/JAK1/STAT3-mediated induction of p21, providing a novel epigenetic mechanism for the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Zheng Liu, Yukun Zheng, Bingyu Wang, Jialin Li, Lang Qin, Xiao Li, Xin Liu, Yuehong Bian, Zijiang Chen, Han Zhao, Shigang Zhao
Summary: This study examined the association between sleep quality before embryo transfer and pregnancy outcomes. The results showed that good sleep quality was associated with higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Treating sleep disorders and providing sleep behavior guidance may improve pregnancy outcomes in IVF-ET.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Shenli Yuan, Jianhong Zhan, Jingye Zhang, Zhenbo Liu, Zhenzhen Hou, Chuanxin Zhang, Lizhi Yi, Lei Gao, Han Zhao, Zi-Jiang Chen, Jiang Liu, Keliang Wu
Summary: By mapping parental transcriptomes in human parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryos, this study reveals that human zygotic genome activation (ZGA) starts at the 8-cell stage. The different timing of ZGA between human and mouse embryos is observed. Mechanistically, primate-specific ZNF675 and androgenetic specifically expressed LSM1 are crucial for human ZGA and maternal RNA degradation. The allelic expressions of ZNF675 and LSM1 are associated with their allelically epigenetic states.
Article
Immunology
Wei Liu, Shuman Sheng, Chendi Zhu, Changzhong Li, Yonghui Zou, Chunrun Yang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Fei Wang, Xue Jiao
Summary: Immune dysregulation is associated with adenomyosis, with an increase in CD8+ T-cell number being the predominant alteration. Exhausted NKG2A+CD8+ T-cell subset is associated with the severity of adenomyosis and its number is increased in the eutopic endometrium and ectopic lesions. Increased expression of NKG2A ligand and interleukin-15 in glandular epithelial cells might contribute to CD8+ T-cell exhaustion in adenomyosis.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tao Huang, Xinyue Wu, Shiyu Wang, Ziyou Bao, Yanling Wan, Ziqi Wang, Mengjing Li, Xiaochen Yu, Yue Lv, Zhaojian Liu, Xiangfeng Chen, Wai-Yee Chan, Fei Gao, Gang Lu, Zi-Jiang Chen, Hongbin Liu
Summary: RAD51 and DMC1 are meiotic recombinases that play critical roles in DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination. This study reveals that SPIDR is a scaffold protein involved in the regulation of RAD51/DMC1 on single-stranded DNA. Deletion of Spidr in male mice leads to complete meiotic arrest, accompanied by defects in synapsis and crossover formation, resulting in male infertility. In females, loss of Spidr leads to subfertility, but some Spidr(-/-) oocytes are able to complete meiosis. Importantly, fertility is partially rescued by ablation of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase CHK2 in Spidr(-/-) females but not in males. Thus, this study identifies SPIDR as an essential meiotic recombination factor in mammals.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yiyuan Zhang, Peihao Liu, Wei Zhou, Jingmei Hu, Linlin Cui, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between large for gestational age (LGA) and cardiometabolic risk factors. A meta-analysis of 42 studies involving 841,325 individuals showed that individuals born LGA had higher odds of overweight and obesity, type 1 diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome compared to those born appropriate for gestational age. No significant difference was found in hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yiting Zhang, Xiao Fu, Shuli Gao, Shuzhe Gao, Shanshan Gao, Jinlong Ma, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: In the past decade, the use of frozen-thawed embryo transfer treatment has significantly increased. Hormone replacement therapy and the natural cycle are two popular methods for preparing the endometrium. While hormone replacement therapy offers convenience for timing coordination, there are potential risks associated with achieving pregnancy without a corpus luteum. Therefore, there is growing interest in expanding the use of natural cycle FET in ovulatory women to address these concerns and improve outcomes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Keliang Wu, Dongdong Fan, Han Zhao, Zhenbo Liu, Zhenzhen Hou, Wenrong Tao, Guanling Yu, Shenli Yuan, Xiaoxiao Zhu, Mengyao Kang, Yong Tian, Zi-Jiang Chen, Jiang Liu, Lei Gao
Summary: The regulation of gene and transposon transcription during human early embryogenesis is not well understood. Our study reveals that broad H3K27ac domains play conserved functions before zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in mammals, and the H3K27ac modification undergoes extensive reprogramming during early embryo development, which is associated with the expression of genes and transposons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanling Wan, Shuang Yang, Tongtong Li, Yuling Cai, Xinyue Wu, Mingyu Zhang, Tahir Muhammad, Tao Huang, Yue Lv, Wai-Yee Chan, Gang Lu, Jingxin Li, Qian-Qian Sha, Zi-Jiang Chen, Hongbin Liu
Summary: LSM14B knockout disrupts the assembly of MARDO, leading to improper mRNA storage and clearance, ultimately resulting in female infertility.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jianye Deng, Hong-Jin Zhao, Ying Zhong, Cuiping Hu, Jinlai Meng, Chunling Wang, Xiangxin Lan, Xiyao Wang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Junhao Yan, Wei Wang, Yan Li
Summary: This study found that the enhanced bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signaling derived from placenta in late gestation is associated with compensatory response for shallow trophoblast invasion in preeclampsia (PE). These findings provide opportunities for the application of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in the management of PE.
Correction
Cell Biology
Xiaoyu Merlin Zhang, Keliang Wu, Yuxuan Zheng, Han Zhao, Junpeng Gao, Zhenzhen Hou, Meiling Zhang, Jiaoyang Liao, Jingye Zhang, Yuan Gao, Yuanyuan Li, Lin Li, Fuchou Tang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Jinsong Li
Letter
Cell Biology
Yuan Gao, Lizhi Yi, Jianhong Zhan, Lijuan Wang, Xuelong Yao, Junhao Yan, Sijing Jian, Lei Gao, Mamadboqirova Farangez, Ming Gao, Yang Zou, Xuan Gao, Keliang Wu, Jiang Liu, Zi-Jiang Chen
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chengzi Huang, Simin Zhao, Yajuan Yang, Ting Guo, Hanni Ke, Din Mi, Yingying Qin, Zi-Jiang Chen, Shidou Zhao
Summary: Mutations in TP63 gene impair the TID of TAp63 alpha protein, leading to constitutive activation and oocyte apoptosis, resulting in POI. These findings provide insight into the genetic diagnosis of POI and potential therapeutic targets for preserving female fertility.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
