Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of the germ cell lineage that eventually differentiate into mature spermatozoa and oocytes. Although present throughout the animal kingdom, the specification and migration of PGCs differs widely between species. In vertebrates, avians are evolutionary divergent from mammals and therefore allow a comparative system in which to study germ cell development in higher organisms. Unlike mouse, PGCs can be isolated from the chicken embryo, expanded and cultured long term in vitro. Analysis of these cells showed that cultured chicken PGCs maintain the characteristics of their in vivo counterparts, including the expression of key germ cell specific markers and cell surface adhesion proteins, and thus, are an ideal system to study germ cell biology. Further characterisation revealed that an avian homologue of the zinc finger transcription factor PRDM14, essential for the specification of the mammalian germ cell lineage, was expressed in chicken PGCs. cPRDM14 was found to be expressed in PGCs in vitro and in vivo from early developmental stages until expression is lost by embryonic day 10 and subsequently re-expressed in the adult testis. The expression of cPRDM14 suggested that this gene may play a conserved role in the avian germ cell lineage. To investigate the function of cPRDM14, a novel single piggyBac transposon vector containing a reverse tetracycline activator protein and a tetracycline response element-regulated promoter was developed. Testing of the integrated transposon revealed that expression was tightly regulated and it was possible to conditionally express one gene product whilst simultaneously reducing the expression of a second gene, both in vitro and in vivo. This vector system was fully functional in PGCs, and was used to create transgenic founder chickens capable of having gene expression manipulated in germ cells at various developmental stages. Transgenic offspring were produced and the transgene was inducible at early developmental stages in the G1 animals. The un-induced transgene proved to be toxic to early embryos so a transgenic line of birds could not be produced. The inducible transposon was used to knockdown cPRDM14 expression in chicken PGCs. Knockdown of this gene led to reduced PGC numbers and increased cell death, both in vitro and in ovo. Expression of the pluripotency factor cNANOG was also significantly reduced which may explain the increased cell death. The knockdown of cPRDM14 also led to an increased susceptibility of PGCs to spontaneously de-differentiate to pluripotent embryonic germ cells (EGCs). cPRDM14 knockdown PGCs exhibited elevated levels of phosphorylated ERK, a target of the FGF signalling pathway. It was possible to prevent de-differentiation of the knockdown PGCs by removing ectopic FGF from the media. Furthermore, a sustained high level of FGF signalling in the media was sufficient to drive the de-differentiation of control PGCs to EGCs, suggesting that increased FGF signalling was key to the de-differentiation process. Extensive epigenetic remodelling of mouse PGCs occurs during embryonic development and PRDM14 was shown to be involved in this process. Chicken PGCs in vitro, contain several key histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K9me2 and H3K27me3) and are 5-methyl cytosine (5-mC) positive. Immunohistochemical analysis of these markers in PGCs, at various stages during early embryonic development, suggests that these cells do not undergo the extensive epigenetic remodelling found in their mammalian counterparts. In contrast to the mouse germ cell lineage, knockdown of cPRDM14 in cultured PGCs had no noticeable effect on the epigenetic status of chicken PGCs. Together these results demonstrate that cPRDM14 is essential for the survival and maintenance of germ cell identity in chicken PGCs, but may not be critical for maintaining the epigenetic status of these cells.

No description available.

In this study, for the first time we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in sturgeons i.e., sterlets (Acipenser ruthenus). The sequences of sgRNA and primers were designed based on published dnd1 sterlet sequence. Each pair of sgRNA oligos after ligation ready duplex DNA fragment was cloned into vector pX330-U6-Chimeric_BB-CBh-hSpCas9 backbone and thereafter the transformation to competent cells Escherichia coli DH5 was done. The plasmid carried sgRNA was extracted for downstream applications. We diluted extracted plasmid with 10% of 2 M KCl and injection into animal pole of fertilized eggs of sterlets at one to four-cell-stage, 4 hours post fertilization (hpf). At the same time, second microinjection with 2.5% FITC-biotin-dextrans was injected into vegetal pole for labelling PGCs. In the control groups, the eggs were only injected by 2.5% FITC into vegetal pole. PGCs of sterlet were visualized and photographed using a uorescent stereo microscope Leica M165 FC. To confirm the presence or deletion/insertion occurring in the target gene, we used MCE-202 MultiNA microchip electrophoresis system for DNA analysis, in which the targeted gene after amplifying by PCR was analyzed. Mutations in both treated and control embryos of sterlet were further assessed by Sanger sequencing of the PCR product. In present study, we successfully established basic protocols such as preparation of competent cells, construction of vector carrying sgRNA and its transformation into competent cells to carry out the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in sturgeons. Less number of PGCs was observed in embryos that were treated with CRISPR/Cas9; however, sequencing did not provide us a reliable evidence for mutation of the targeted gene probably due to an unspecific PCR. Therefore, more authentication of dnd1 knockout should be done in future by more specific PCR and repeated sequencing.

No description available.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22880号 / 医博第4674号 / 新制||医||1047(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 篠原 隆司, 教授 近藤 玄, 教授 万代 昌紀 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第18172号 / 医博第3892号 / 新制||医||1003(附属図書館) / 31030 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 篠原 隆司, 教授 中辻 憲夫, 教授 萩原 正敏, 教授 小西 郁生 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

No description available.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of the germ cell lineage. Segregation of the chicken germ line from somatic cells occurs very early in embryonic development. By day two of incubation chicken PGCs can be isolated from the circulating blood. The in vitro culture of chicken PGCs has significant potential as a tool for the investigation of germ cell development and as a cell-based system for the production of genetically modified chickens. The isolation, culture and manipulation of migratory chicken PGCs reported previously have not been independently validated. Initial attempts to isolate and culture chicken PGCs by reproducing a published protocol proved difficult. Key components of the published culture medium are by their nature variable, including the use of BRL-conditioned medium and animal sera. The protocol also stated that addition of SCF to the culture medium is essential but did not identify the source of SCF used. Several components of the culture conditions were tested including sources and batches of bovine and chicken sera and the growth factors FGF2 and SCF. Chicken PGCs from wild type and GFPexpressing chicken embryos were cultured and several cell lines established, proliferating for more than 100 days in culture. After seventy days in culture a single chicken PGC cell line was shown to retain the potential to develop into functional sperm. This was demonstrated by injection of the cultured chicken PGCs into early chick embryos, which were hatched and produced offspring derived from the injected chicken PGCs. To understand and produce a more robust system for the isolation and propagation of chicken PGCs three signalling pathways, AKT, MAPK and JAK/STAT, were investigated. When any of these signalling pathways were blocked, using chemical inhibitors, chicken PGC proliferation in vitro was significantly inhibited, showing the pathways to be essential for chicken PGC proliferation. Chicken PGCs were treated with individual components of the standard culture medium, FGF2, SCF, animal sera, BRL-conditioned medium, LIF and IGF, and the activation status of the key signalling pathways was assessed by western blot. Individual components of the culture medium induced activation of the AKT and MAPK pathways but not the JAK/STAT pathway. These data increase our understanding of PGC biology and are the first steps towards the development of a feeder- and serum-free medium for the growth of chicken PGCs. Published methods for the genetic manipulation of chicken PGCs are inefficient. To improve the efficiency of stable transgene integration, transposable element-derived gene transfer vectors were assessed for their ability to transpose into the genome of chicken PGCs. Comparison of Tol2 and piggyBac transposable elements, carrying reporter transgenes, demonstrated that both can be used to genetically-modify chicken cells. The incidence of stable transposition achieved was higher when using the Tol2 transposable element in comparison to the piggyBac element. The genetically-modified chicken PGCs formed functional gametes, demonstrated by injection of genetically modified chicken PGCs into host embryos which were hatched and produced transgenic offspring expressing the reporter gene construct.

As células germinativas primordiais (CGPs) são as precursoras dos gametas, capazes de gerar um novo indivíduo os quais transmitirão os materiais genéticos para as futuras gerações. Normalmente, a linha germinal de mamífero é determinada por fatores genéticos e epigenéticos que possuem funções essenciais para guiar na direção e desenvolvimento das CGPs, bem como das células germinativas embrionárias (CGEs). A reprogramação epigenética é fundamental para a regulação do genoma durante o desenvolvimento das células germinativas responsáveis por originar a linhagem gametogênica nos mamíferos. A metilação e desmetilação em CGPs são um evento único, essencial para apagar a memória epigenética e também prevenir transmissões de epimutações para a próxima geração. Assim, o completo entendimento das vias e mecanismos para a migração inicial e diferenciação destas células em CGEs podem ser importantes para identificar e corrigir falhas possíveis nesses processos, o que será importante, no futuro, para o desenvolvimento e desempenho reprodutivo. A maioria dos estudos com CGPs e CGEs é realizado em camundongos, porém nem sempre esta espécie torna-se o melhor modelo de estudo quando se quer transpor esses conhecimentos a humanos. O cão doméstico (Canis lúpus familiaris) apresenta-se como um modelo ideal para o estudo do desenvolvimento em mamíferos, pois possui inúmeras similaridades com a bioquímica, fisiologia e genética. Deste modo, torna-se interessante expandir os estudos sobre as CGPs e CGEs na espécie canina, a fim de mostrar a importância de diferentes modelos que se assemelham a seres humanos. Portanto, objetiva-se, nesta proposta, identificar qual é a dinâmica de marcadores pluripotentes, germinativos e epigenéticos que são importantes para o desenvolvimento das CGPs e CGEs caninas. Para tal procedimento, essa pesquisa foi dividida em duas fases: a primeira, consiste no processo in vivo, desde o desenvolvimento inicial do embrião até a completa formação da crista gônadal. Análises de RTq-PCR e imunofluorescência para marcadores pluripotentes POU5F1 (OCT4) e NANOG, germinativos DDX4 (VASA), DAZL e DPPA3 (STELLA) e epigenéticos 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 e H3K9me2 foram realizados para criar um perfil de genes que são importantes para o desenvolvimento das CGPs caninas. Prosseguiu-se para a segunda fase in vitro, que incide na derivação e caracterização das CGEs caninas. Ensaios de Fosfatase Alcalina, imunofluorescência para os marcadores: pluripotente POU5F1 (OCT4), germinativos DDX4 (VASA), DAZL e DPPA3 (STELLA), mesodérmico THY-1 (CD90) e epigenéticos 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 e H3K9me2, RT-qPCR para os genes NANOG e DDX4 e formação de teratoma foram efetivados para comprovar a linhagem de células CGEs. Como resultado in vivo, percebe-se que diferentes padrões de marcações e genes foram expressos nas CGPs, comprovando que a espécie canina se assemelha mais com os humanos do que com os camundongos. Os resultados in vitro mostraram que foi possível derivar as células CGEs e que estas conseguem reter sua pluripotencialidade e que diminuem a expressão dos genes germinativos. Porém, essas células tendem a se diferenciar em outros tecidos somáticos, mesmo com a adição de suplementos, fato também notado em CGEs humanas. / Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are known as the only cells capable of generating a new individual, they originate the gametes which then will transmit genetic material to future generations. Normally, the mammalian germ line is determined by genetic and epigenetic factors that have essential functions to guide the direction and development of PGCs as well as embryonic germ cells (EGCs). Epigenetic reprogramming is fundamental for the regulation of the genome during the development of the germ cells responsible for originating the gametogenic lineage in mammals. Methylation and demethylation in PGCs is a unique event, essential for erasing epigenetic memory and also preventing transmissions of epimutations to the next generation. Thus, the understanding of the patterns of differentiation of PGCs in EGCs can be important in identifying and correcting possible failures in these processes, which will be important in the future for development and reproductive performance. Most of the studies with PGCs in EGCs are carried out in mice, but this species is not always the best model of study when transposing this knowledge to humans. In canines, no study has ever been reported on canine PGCs and maybe the Canine species has become interesting as a new animal model for studies. It is known that the study material of human embryos are scarce samples and difficult to obtain, so it is necessary to use other animal models, such as the Canids, which also resemble humans. Dogs were the first fundamental models for the development of bone marrow transplantation in humans, but also made valuable contributions to the development of therapies for cardiovascular and orthopedic diseases. Then, it has become interesting to expand the studies on PGCs in the canine species in order to show the importance of different models that might resemble humans. Therefore, we had how proposal identify which were pluripotent, germinative and epigenetic markers that are important for the development of PGCs and canine EGCs. It research was divided into two phases: the first consists of the in vivo process, from the initial development of the embryo to the complete formation of the gonadal ridge. We analyzed through the techniques of real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence for pluripotent markers POU5F1 (OCT4) and NANOG, germline DDX4 (VASA), DAZL and DPPA3 (STELLA) and epigenetic 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 and H3K9me2 were performed to create a profile of genes that are important for the development of canine PGCs. We proceeded to the second in vitro phase, which focuses on the derivation and characterization of canine EGCs. Alkaline Phosphatase (AP), immunofluorescence for the markers: pluripotent POU5F1 (OCT4), germinative DDX4 (VASA), DAZL and DPPA3 (STELLA), mesodermal THY-1 (CD90) and epigenetic 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 and H3K9me2. We also analyzed RT-qPCR for NANOG and DDX4 genes and teratoma formation were performed to prove the EGCs cell lineage. As a result in vivo, different marking patterns and genes had been expressed in CGPs, proving that the canine species is more similar to humans than to mice. The in vitro results showed that it was possible to derive the EGCs and that they are able to retain their pluripotency and decrease the expression of the germinative genes. However, these cells continue to differentiate into other somatic tissues, even with the addition of supplements, a fact also noted in human CGEs.

As células germinativas primordiais (CGPs) são as precursoras dos gametas, capazes de gerar um novo indivíduo os quais transmitirão os materiais genéticos para as futuras gerações. Normalmente, a linha germinal de mamífero é determinada por fatores genéticos e epigenéticos que possuem funções essenciais para guiar na direção e desenvolvimento das CGPs, bem como das células germinativas embrionárias (CGEs). A reprogramação epigenética é fundamental para a regulação do genoma durante o desenvolvimento das células germinativas responsáveis por originar a linhagem gametogênica nos mamíferos. A metilação e desmetilação em CGPs são um evento único, essencial para apagar a memória epigenética e também prevenir transmissões de epimutações para a próxima geração. Assim, o completo entendimento das vias e mecanismos para a migração inicial e diferenciação destas células em CGEs podem ser importantes para identificar e corrigir falhas possíveis nesses processos, o que será importante, no futuro, para o desenvolvimento e desempenho reprodutivo. A maioria dos estudos com CGPs e CGEs é realizado em camundongos, porém nem sempre esta espécie torna-se o melhor modelo de estudo quando se quer transpor esses conhecimentos a humanos. O cão doméstico (Canis lúpus familiaris) apresenta-se como um modelo ideal para o estudo do desenvolvimento em mamíferos, pois possui inúmeras similaridades com a bioquímica, fisiologia e genética. Deste modo, torna-se interessante expandir os estudos sobre as CGPs e CGEs na espécie canina, a fim de mostrar a importância de diferentes modelos que se assemelham a seres humanos. Portanto, objetiva-se, nesta proposta, identificar qual é a dinâmica de marcadores pluripotentes, germinativos e epigenéticos que são importantes para o desenvolvimento das CGPs e CGEs caninas. Para tal procedimento, essa pesquisa foi dividida em duas fases: a primeira, consiste no processo in vivo, desde o desenvolvimento inicial do embrião até a completa formação da crista gônadal. Análises de RTq-PCR e imunofluorescência para marcadores pluripotentes POU5F1 (OCT4) e NANOG, germinativos DDX4 (VASA), DAZL e DPPA3 (STELLA) e epigenéticos 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 e H3K9me2 foram realizados para criar um perfil de genes que são importantes para o desenvolvimento das CGPs caninas. Prosseguiu-se para a segunda fase in vitro, que incide na derivação e caracterização das CGEs caninas. Ensaios de Fosfatase Alcalina, imunofluorescência para os marcadores: pluripotente POU5F1 (OCT4), germinativos DDX4 (VASA), DAZL e DPPA3 (STELLA), mesodérmico THY-1 (CD90) e epigenéticos 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 e H3K9me2, RT-qPCR para os genes NANOG e DDX4 e formação de teratoma foram efetivados para comprovar a linhagem de células CGEs. Como resultado in vivo, percebe-se que diferentes padrões de marcações e genes foram expressos nas CGPs, comprovando que a espécie canina se assemelha mais com os humanos do que com os camundongos. Os resultados in vitro mostraram que foi possível derivar as células CGEs e que estas conseguem reter sua pluripotencialidade e que diminuem a expressão dos genes germinativos. Porém, essas células tendem a se diferenciar em outros tecidos somáticos, mesmo com a adição de suplementos, fato também notado em CGEs humanas. / Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are known as the only cells capable of generating a new individual, they originate the gametes which then will transmit genetic material to future generations. Normally, the mammalian germ line is determined by genetic and epigenetic factors that have essential functions to guide the direction and development of PGCs as well as embryonic germ cells (EGCs). Epigenetic reprogramming is fundamental for the regulation of the genome during the development of the germ cells responsible for originating the gametogenic lineage in mammals. Methylation and demethylation in PGCs is a unique event, essential for erasing epigenetic memory and also preventing transmissions of epimutations to the next generation. Thus, the understanding of the patterns of differentiation of PGCs in EGCs can be important in identifying and correcting possible failures in these processes, which will be important in the future for development and reproductive performance. Most of the studies with PGCs in EGCs are carried out in mice, but this species is not always the best model of study when transposing this knowledge to humans. In canines, no study has ever been reported on canine PGCs and maybe the Canine species has become interesting as a new animal model for studies. It is known that the study material of human embryos are scarce samples and difficult to obtain, so it is necessary to use other animal models, such as the Canids, which also resemble humans. Dogs were the first fundamental models for the development of bone marrow transplantation in humans, but also made valuable contributions to the development of therapies for cardiovascular and orthopedic diseases. Then, it has become interesting to expand the studies on PGCs in the canine species in order to show the importance of different models that might resemble humans. Therefore, we had how proposal identify which were pluripotent, germinative and epigenetic markers that are important for the development of PGCs and canine EGCs. It research was divided into two phases: the first consists of the in vivo process, from the initial development of the embryo to the complete formation of the gonadal ridge. We analyzed through the techniques of real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence for pluripotent markers POU5F1 (OCT4) and NANOG, germline DDX4 (VASA), DAZL and DPPA3 (STELLA) and epigenetic 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 and H3K9me2 were performed to create a profile of genes that are important for the development of canine PGCs. We proceeded to the second in vitro phase, which focuses on the derivation and characterization of canine EGCs. Alkaline Phosphatase (AP), immunofluorescence for the markers: pluripotent POU5F1 (OCT4), germinative DDX4 (VASA), DAZL and DPPA3 (STELLA), mesodermal THY-1 (CD90) and epigenetic 5mC, 5hmC, H3K27me3 and H3K9me2. We also analyzed RT-qPCR for NANOG and DDX4 genes and teratoma formation were performed to prove the EGCs cell lineage. As a result in vivo, different marking patterns and genes had been expressed in CGPs, proving that the canine species is more similar to humans than to mice. The in vitro results showed that it was possible to derive the EGCs and that they are able to retain their pluripotency and decrease the expression of the germinative genes. However, these cells continue to differentiate into other somatic tissues, even with the addition of supplements, a fact also noted in human CGEs.