harmonic-nanoparticles-for-regenerative-research

Harmonic Nanoparticles for Regenerative Research

In this visualized experiment, protocol details are provided for in vitro labeling of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) with second harmonic generation ...

University of Geneva

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem disorder affecting a variety of organs, including the central nervous system. By using neuronal progeny derived from human embryonic stem cells carrying the causal DM1 mutation, we have identified an early developmental defect in genes involved in neurite formation and the establishment of neuromuscular connections. Differential gene expression profiling and quantitative RT-PCR revealed decreased expression of two members of the SLITRK family in DM1 neural cells and in DM1 brain biopsies. In addition, DM1 motoneuron/muscle cell cocultures showed alterations that are consistent with the known role of SLITRK genes in neurite outgrowth, neuritogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Rescue and knockdown experiments suggested that the functional defects can be directly attributed to SLITRK misexpression. These neuropathological mechanisms may be clinically significant for the functional changes in neuromuscular connections associated with DM1.

Mutant human embryonic stem cells reveal neurite and synapse formation defects in type 1 myotonic dystrophy.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for applications in regenerative medicine. However, the safety of cell therapy using differentiated hPSC derivatives must be improved through methods that will permit the transplantation of homogenous populations of a specific cell type. To date, purification of progenitors and mature cells generated from either embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells remains challenging with use of conventional methods.

Integration-deficient lentivectors: an effective strategy to purify and differentiate human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatic progenitors.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an RNA-mediated disorder caused by a non-coding CTG repeat expansion that, in particular, provokes functional alteration of CUG-binding proteins. As a consequence, several genes with misregulated alternative splicing have been linked to clinical symptoms. In our search for additional molecular mechanisms that would trigger functional defects in DM1, we took advantage of mutant gene-carrying human embryonic stem cell lines to identify differentially expressed genes. Among the different genes found to be misregulated by DM1 mutation, one strongly downregulated gene encodes a transcription factor, ZNF37A. In this paper, we show that this defect in expression, which derives from a loss of RNA stability, is controlled by the RNA-binding protein, CUGBP1, and is associated with impaired myogenesis-a functional defect reminiscent of that observed in DM1. Loss of the ZNF37A protein results in changes in the expression of the subunit α1 of the receptor for the interleukin 13. This suggests that the pathological molecular mechanisms linking ZNF37A and myogenesis may involve the signaling pathway that is known to promote myoblast recruitment during development and regeneration.

Article	Year
Mutant human embryonic stem cells reveal neurite and synapse formation defects in type 1 myotonic dystrophy. Cell stem cell\| PubMed ID: 21458401	2011
Integration-deficient lentivectors: an effective strategy to purify and differentiate human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatic progenitors. BMC biology\| PubMed ID: 23870169	2013
A defective Krab-domain zinc-finger transcription factor contributes to altered myogenesis in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Human molecular genetics\| PubMed ID: 23922231	2013

Remi Vernet

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