Aberrant levels of DNA methylation and H3K9 acetylation in the testicular cells of crossbred cattle-yak showing infertility.

Although the interspecies hybridization of bovids, such as cattle-yak (Bos taurus × Bos grunniens), has heterosis benefits, the infertility of hybrid males affects the maintenance of dominant traits in subsequent generations. To achieve reproductive capacity, male germ cell development requires coordinated changes in gene expression, including DNA methylation and generalized histone modifications. Although gene expression-related mechanisms underlying hybrid male sterility have been investigated recently, information on the cell types and stage-specific controls remains limited.

Molecular signature and colony morphology affect in vitro pluripotency of porcine induced pluripotent stem cells.

Overall efficiency of cell reprogramming for porcine fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is currently poor, and few cell lines have been established. This study examined gene expression during early phase of cellular reprogramming in the relationship to the iPSC colony morphology and in vitro pluripotent characteristics. Fibroblasts were reprogrammed with OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC.

Generation of porcine induced-pluripotent stem cells from Sertoli cells.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are generated by reprogramming of somatic cells using four transcription factors: OCT4, SOX2, KLF-4, and c-MYC (OSKM). However, reprogramming efficiency of iPSCs is currently poor. In this study, we used the Sertoli line as a novel cell source for somatic cell reprogramming.

Rabbit induced pluripotent stem cells retain capability of in vitro cardiac differentiation.

Stem cells are promising cell source for treatment of multiple diseases as well as myocardial infarction. Rabbit model has essentially used for cardiovascular diseases and regeneration but information on establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiation potential is fairly limited. In addition, there is no report of cardiac differentiation from iPSCs in the rabbit model.

Generation of a pig induced pluripotent stem cell (piPSC) line from embryonic fibroblasts by incorporating LIN28 to the four transcriptional factor-mediated reprogramming: VSMUi001-D.

Pig induced pluripotent stem cell (piPSC) line was generated from embryonic fibroblast cells using retroviral transduction approaches carrying human transcriptional factors: OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, c-MYC and LIN28. The generated piPSC line, VSMUi001-D, was positive for alkaline phosphatase activity and expressed the pluripotency associated transcription factors including OCT4, SOX2, NANOG and surface markers SSEA-1, all iPSC hallmarks of authenticity. Furthermore, VSMUi001-D exhibited a normal karyotype and formed embryoid bodies in vitro and teratomas in vivo.