Stem cell differentiation is dictated by the dynamic crosstalk between cells and their underlying extracellular matrix. While the importance of matrix degradation mediated by enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the context of cancer invasion is well established, the role of MMPs in stem cell differentiation remains relatively unexplored. Here we address this question by assaying MMP expression and activity during differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) derived matrices (MEFDMs) of varying stiffness and composition. We show that mESC differentiation into different germ layers is associated with expression of several MMPs including MMP-11, 2, 17, 25 and 9, with MMP-9 detected in cell secreted media. Different extents of softening of the different MEFDMs led to altered integrin expression, activated distinct mechanotransduction and metabolic pathways, and induced expression of germ layer-specific markers. Inhibition of MMP proteolytic activity by the broad spectrum MMP inhibitor GM6001 led to alterations in germ layer commitment of the differentiating mESCs. Together, our results illustrate the effect of MMPs in regulating mESC differentiation on engineered cell derived matrices and establish MEFDMs as suitable substrates for understanding molecular mechanisms regulating stem cell development and for regenerative medicine applications.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121268 | DOI Listing |
Dev Cell
January 2025
King's College London, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, London, UK; King's College London, Guy's Hospital Assisted Conception Unit, Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, London, UK. Electronic address:
Female primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo X chromosome reactivation (XCR) during genome-wide reprogramming. XCR kinetics and dynamics are poorly understood at a molecular level. Here, we apply single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin profiling on germ cells from F mouse embryos, performing a precise appraisal of XCR spanning from migratory-stage PGCs to gonadal germ cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochem Biophys Res Commun
December 2024
Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China. Electronic address:
Neurodevelopmental abnormalities are significant contributors to a variety of neurological disorders. Ubiquitination is essential for embryonic development and plays a pivotal role in neurodevelopment. Although Cnot4 possesses E3-ubiquitin ligase activity, its function in neurodevelopment and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains inadequately understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcotoxicol Environ Saf
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding of Hubei Province, Institute of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address:
3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC), a chemical prevalent in various industries for drug, dye, and leather production, also serves as a primary byproduct of organophosphate insecticides. Despite its global recognition as an endocrine disruptor with documented reproductive toxicity, its detrimental impact on preimplantation embryonic development has yet to be thoroughly investigated. In this study, through the in vitro culture of mice embryos, it was initially observed that even low concentrations of PNMC exposure led to a significant reduction in blastocyst formation and a sharp decline in the ratio of inner cell mass within the blastocysts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Ther
January 2025
Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904 0495, Japan. Electronic address:
Transgene expression in stem cells is a powerful means of regulating cellular properties and differentiation into various cell types. However, existing vectors for transgene expression in stem cells suffer from limitations such as the need for genomic integration, the transient nature of gene expression, and the inability to temporally regulate transgene expression, which hinder biomedical and clinical applications. Here we report a new class of RNA virus-based vectors for scalable and integration-free transgene expression in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutrients
December 2024
Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
Background: Maternal obesity detrimentally affects placental function and fetal development. Both alternate-day fasting (ADF) and time-restricted feeding (TRF) are dietary interventions that can improve metabolic health, yet their comparative effects on placental function and fetal development remain unexplored.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of ADF and TRF on placental function and fetal development during maternal consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD).
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