PWD is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research fellowship (CIHR) and a CIHR grant to Gerald M. Kidder at Western University. The author would also like to acknowledge Julang Li at the University of Guelph for help with the development of the protocol presented here.

1. Media Preparation	
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare media 2-3 hr in advance of use and place with a loosened cap in the cell culture incubator where the experiment will be taking place. Media used in the present protocol:
			<ol>
				<li>Prepare stem cell medium consisting of DMEM/F12 supplemented with 1 x B27, 40 ng/ml bFGF, and 20 ng/ml EGF.</li>			 
				<li>Prepare germ cell differentiation medium consisting of m199 supplemented with 0.05 IU FSH, 0.03 IU LH, 3 mg/ml BSA, 5 &mu;l/ml ITS, 0.23 mM sodium pyruvate, 1 mg/ml Fetuin, and 1 ng/ml EGF. A base medium consisting of all additives but omitting FSH, LH and EGF can be prepared and stored at 4 &deg;C for up to one week.</li>			
			</ol>
		</li>	
	</ol>
	2. Stem Cell Culture Preparation	
	<ol>
		<li>Isolate stem cells from newborn mouse pups as previously described12. Utilize stem cells at passage 2-4 for in vitro germ cell differentiation. The efficiency of OLC formation is directly related to the quality of the starting stem cells. It is best to start the differentiation as soon as the population appears clean and healthy which is generally at around passage 2. Further culturing the stem cells past passage 2 negatively affects the OLC formation efficiency (unpublished results).</li>	 
	 <li>48 hr prior to initiating differentiation sub-culture the stem cells. Remove all the suspended spherical cell aggregates and spent media from the culture dish, using a serological pipette, and place in a 15 ml tube. It is important to only collect the suspended spherical aggregates of cells and not the cells attached to the bottom of the dish that are spontaneously differentiating.</li>	 
	 <li>Pellet the cells at 500 x g for 5 min., discard the supernatant, and resuspend in 500 &mu;l of fresh stem cell media warmed to 37 &deg;C. Gently pipette the aggregates to partially dissociate the cells. Do not aggressively pipette the cells as this will reduce cell viability. Wash the partially dissociated cells into 9.5 ml of fresh pre-warmed stem cell medium on a low attachment 10 cm cell culture dish.</li>	 
	 <li>Return the cells to a 37 &deg;C, 5% CO2 cell culture incubator for 48 hr prior to initiation of differentiation.</li>	
	</ol>
	3. OLC Differentiation	
	<ol>
		<li>Using a serological pipette remove the stem cells from the culture dish and place in a 15 ml tube, leave behind any attached cells. Pellet the cells at 500 x g and resuspend in 500 &mu;l sterile PBS. Vigorous pipette the cells using a wide bore 1,000 &mu;l tip into clumps not larger than 10-20 cells. Periodically remove a small amount of cells, during dissociation, and check under a white light microscope to confirm aggregated cells are in clumps of 10-20 individual cells. Over dissociation will result in reduced cell viability.</li>	 
		<li>Add 9.5 ml PBS to the dissociated cells and add 15 &mu;l of this cell suspension to a hemocytometer for cell counting. Pellet the cells at 500 x g for 5 min.</li>	 
	 <li>Re-suspend the cells at a concentration of 1.32X106 cells/ml in differentiation medium.</li>	 
	 <li>Plate the cells by adding 500 &mu;l per well into a flat bottom 24 well suspension dish.</li>	 
	 <li>Place the 24 well dish into a cell culture incubator at 37 &deg;C in 5% CO2 for 48 hr. Remove 250 &mu;l medium from each well and place in a correspondingly labeled 1.5 ml tube. Add 250 &mu;l fresh differentiation medium to each well. Centrifuge the spent medium at 500 x g for 5 min. and discard the supernatant. Resuspend any pelleted cells in 50 &mu;l fresh differentiation medium and return to the corresponding culture well on the differentiation plate.</li>	 
	 <li>Every 48 hr change half the medium up to day 12 of differentiation.</li>	
	</ol>

<ol>
	<li>van den Hurk, R., Zhao, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formation+of+mammalian+oocytes+and+their+growth,+differentiation+and+maturation+within+ovarian+follicles.">Formation of mammalian oocytes and their growth, differentiation and maturation within ovarian follicles.</a> Theriogenology. 63, 1717-1751 (2005).</li><li>Molyneaux, K. A., Stallock, J., Schaible, K., Wylie, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Time-lapse+analysis+of+living+mouse+germ+cell+migration.">Time-lapse analysis of living mouse germ cell migration.</a> Dev. Biol. 240, 488-498 (2001).</li><li>Lawson, K. A., Hage, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clonal+analysis+of+the+origin+of+primordial+germ+cells+in+the+mouse.">Clonal analysis of the origin of primordial germ cells in the mouse.</a> Ciba Found Symp. 182, 68-91 (1994).</li><li>Ginsburg, M., Snow, M. H., McLaren, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primordial+germ+cells+in+the+mouse+embryo+during+gastrulation.">Primordial germ cells in the mouse embryo during gastrulation.</a> Development. 110, 521-528 (1990).</li><li>Hubner, K., Fuhrmann, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Derivation+of+oocytes+from+mouse+embryonic+stem+cells.">Derivation of oocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells.</a> Science. 300, 1251-1256 (2003).</li><li>Toyooka, Y., Tsunekawa, N., Akasu, R., Noce, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+stem+cells+can+form+germ+cells+in+vitro.">Embryonic stem cells can form germ cells in vitro.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 11457-11462 (2003).</li><li>Wang, L., Cao, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oocyte-like+Cells+Induced+from+Mouse+Spermatogonial+Stem+Cells.">Oocyte-like Cells Induced from Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells.</a> Cell Biosci. 2, 27 (2012).</li><li>Dyce, P. W., Wen, L., Li, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+germline+potential+of+stem+cells+derived+from+fetal+porcine+skin.">In vitro germline potential of stem cells derived from fetal porcine skin.</a> Nat. Cell Biol. 8, 384-390 (2006).</li><li>Danner, S., Kajahn, J., Geismann, C., Klink, E., Kruse, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Derivation+of+oocyte-like+cells+from+a+clonal+pancreatic+stem+cell+line.">Derivation of oocyte-like cells from a clonal pancreatic stem cell line.</a> Mol. Hum. Reprod. 13, 11-20 (2007).</li><li>Cheng, X., Chen, S., Yu, X., Zheng, P., Wang, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=BMP15+gene+is+activated+during+human+amniotic+fluid+stem+cell+differentiation+into+oocyte-like+cells.">BMP15 gene is activated during human amniotic fluid stem cell differentiation into oocyte-like cells.</a> DNA Cell Biol. 31, 1198-1204 (2012).</li><li>Song, S. H., Kumar, B. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+porcine+multipotent+stem/stromal+cells+derived+from+skin,+adipose,+and+ovarian+tissues+and+their+differentiation+in+vitro+into+putative+oocyte-like+cells.">Characterization of porcine multipotent stem/stromal cells derived from skin, adipose, and ovarian tissues and their differentiation in vitro into putative oocyte-like cells.</a> Stem Cells Dev. 20, 1359-1370 (2011).</li><li>Dyce, P. W., Liu, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+and+in+vivo+germ+line+potential+of+stem+cells+derived+from+newborn+mouse+skin.">In vitro and in vivo germ line potential of stem cells derived from newborn mouse skin.</a> PLoS One. 6, e20339 (2011).</li><li>Linher, K., Dyce, P., Li, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primordial+germ+cell-like+cells+differentiated+in+vitro+from+skin-derived+stem+cells.">Primordial germ cell-like cells differentiated in vitro from skin-derived stem cells.</a> PLoS One. 4, e8263 (2009).</li><li>Hayashi, K., Ogushi, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Offspring+from+Oocytes+Derived+from+in+Vitro+Primordial+Germ+Cell-Like+Cells+in+Mice.">Offspring from Oocytes Derived from in Vitro Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells in Mice.</a> Science. , (2012).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

To date functional OLCs have not been developed using a completely in vitro assay. Recently a study by Hayashi et al. was able to produce offspring from PGC-like cells formed in vitro and transferred in vivo for further development14. Starting with ES cells or induced pluripotent cells they were able to form PGC like cells which, when recovered following in vivo transplantation were able to be matured, fertilized, and used to generate offspring 14. Th...

During early embryogenesis, gametogenesis occurs through a series of stages including primordial germ cell (PGC) formation, migration, and finally colonization of the gonadal ridges. During this time PGCs undergo proliferation and differentiation into increasingly more mature gametes 1. The fact that PGCs migrate from the base of the allantois into the embryo hindgut and finally along the dorsal wall eventually colonizing the gonadal ridges makes them exceedingly difficult to study 2. Despite advances in the field, studies attempting to understand PGC formation and differentiation have been impeded by their limited number, location, and migratory nature 3,4. 	
	In recent years embryonic stem cells have been shown to have the potential to form germ cells in vitro 5,6. Similarly, several somatic stem cells have also been shown to have the potential to form germ cells following in vitro culturing 7-11. Recently stem cells isolated from newborn mouse skin were differentiated in vitro into germ-like cells and early stage oocytes 12. During differentiation the subset of the stem cells expressing Oct4 increased and structures resembling cumulus-oocyte complexes were formed. The oocyte-like cells (OLCs) can be picked from the cultures and compared to natural oocytes. Using this culture method OLCs measuring 40-45 &mu;m are obtained that express similar markers to oocytes such as Gdf9b, VASA, and DAZL. To date the resulting OLCs remain unable to mature or be fertilized 12.	
	Although the OLCs remain unable to function the protocol used to form these OLCs may still have utility as an assay to study the formation and development of earlier stage germ cells within a closed in vitro system. The original publication discussing the formation of OLCs from somatic stem cells utilized fetal porcine skin as a stem cell source 8. Expanding on that study the PGC-like cells formed early during induced differentiation were shown to be the precursors to the OLCs and express such PGC markers as OCT4, VASA, STELLA, C-KIT, and DAZL 13. This data supports the potential of utilizing this system to study germ cell formation and differentiation in vitro. The protocol utilized to form OLCs from newborn mouse skin will be demonstrated in this video article. This protocol offers an in vitro model to study germ cell development that may provide a means to elucidate factors important for their proliferation and differentiation.

<table border="1">
		<tbody>
		 <tr>
			<td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12500</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>B27</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>17504044</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>EGF</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>PHG0311</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>bFGF</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>PHG0266</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>ITS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>41400-045</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A-6003</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Sodium Pyruvate</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11360-070</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Fetuin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>F3385</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>FSH</td>
			<td>Sioux Biochemicals</td>
			<td>915</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>LH</td>
			<td>Sioux Biochemicals</td>
			<td>925</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>M199</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>31100-035</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>24 well plates</td>
			<td>Nunc</td>
			<td>144530</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>10 cm dishes</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>25384-088</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>15 ml tubes</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>352095</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		</tbody>
 </table>

differentiation of newborn mouse skin derived stem cells into germ-like cells in vitro

Studying germ cell formation and differentiation has traditionally been very difficult due to low cell numbers and their location deep within developing embryos. The availability of a "closed" in vitro based system could prove invaluable for our understanding of gametogenesis. The formation of oocyte-like cells (OLCs) from somatic stem cells, isolated from newborn mouse skin, has been demonstrated and can be visualized in this video protocol. The resulting OLCs express various markers consistent with oocytes such as Oct4 , Vasa , Bmp15, and Scp3. However, they remain unable to undergo maturation or fertilization due to a failure to complete meiosis. This protocol will provide a system that is useful for studying the early stage formation and differentiation of germ cells into more mature gametes. During early differentiation the number of cells expressing Oct4 (potential germ-like cells) reaches ~5%, however currently the formation of OLCs remains relatively inefficient. The protocol is relatively straight forward though special care should be taken to ensure the starting cell population is healthy and at an early passage.

Initially the cells attach to the culture dish bottom and spread out. At 42-72 hr into differentiation small suspended OCT4 positive cells form and proliferate (Figure 1A). Shortly after the visualization of these cells the majority will disappear and the attached cells will form dense colony aggregates on the culture bottom. Following a few days these aggregates will detach from the culture surface. In some of these aggregates a large cell can be observed (Figure 1b and 1c</stro...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Differentiation of Newborn Mouse Skin Derived Stem Cells into Germ-like Cells In vitro at JoVE.com

Differentiation of Newborn Mouse Skin Derived Stem Cells into Germ-like Cells In vitro

In recent years the formation of germ cells using in vitro culture methods has been demonstrated using several different types of somatic stem cells. This article will visually present the differentiation of newborn mouse derived stem cells to early oocyte-like cells.

Differentiation of Newborn Mouse Skin Derived Stem Cells into Germ-like Cells In vitro

Studying  germ cell formation and differentiation has traditionally been very difficult  due to low cell numbers and their location deep within developing ...

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9.2K Views.  The University of Western Ontario. In recent years the formation of germ cells using in vitro culture methods has been demonstrated using several different types of somatic stem cells. This article will visually present the differentiation of newborn mouse derived stem cells to early oocyte-like cells.

Video: Differentiation of Newborn Mouse Skin Derived Stem Cells into Germ-like Cells In vitro

In vitro Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem (mES) Cells Using the Hanging Drop Method

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, This promising of science is leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease.

When culture in suspension without antidifferentiation factors, embryonic stem cells spontaneously differentiate and form three-dimensional multicellular aggregates. These cell aggregates are called embryoid bodies(EB). Hanging drop culture is a widely used EB formation induction method. The rounded bottom of hanging drop allows the aggregation of ES cells which can provide mES cells a good environment for forming EBs. The number of ES cells aggregatied in a hanging drop can be controlled by varying the number of cells in the initial cell suspension to be hung as a drop from the lid of Petri dish. Using this method we can reproducibly form homogeneous EBs from a predetermined number of ES cells. 

In vitro Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem mES Cells Using the Hanging Drop Method

This video demonstrates how to conduct in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to embryoid bodies using the hanging drop method.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either ...

Isolation and Animal Serum Free Expansion of Human Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) and Endothelial Colony Forming Progenitor Cells (ECFCs)

The umbilical cord is a rich source for progenitor cells with high proliferative potential including mesenchymal stromal cells (also termed mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs) and endothelial colony forming progenitor cells (ECFCs). Both cell types are key players in maintaining the integrity of tissue and are probably also involved in regenerative processes and tumor formation.
To study their biology and function in a comparative manner it is important to have both cells types available from the same donor. It may also be beneficial for regenerative purposes to derive MSCs and ECFCs from the same tissue.
Because cellular therapeutics should eventually find their way from bench to bedside we established a new method to isolate and further expand progenitor cells without the use of animal protein. Pooled human platelet lysate (pHPL) replaced fetal bovine serum in all steps of our protocol to completely avoid contact of the cells to xenogeneic proteins.
This video demonstrates a methodology for the isolation and expansion of progenitor cells from one umbilical cord.
All materials and procedures will be described.

Isolation and Animal Serum Free Expansion of Human Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells MSCs and Endothelial Colony Forming Progenitor Cells ECFCs

This protocol describes the isolation and subsequent expansion of mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial colony forming cells without the use of animal serum to generate autologous pairs for experimental transplantation purposes.

The umbilical cord is a rich source for progenitor cells with high proliferative potential including mesenchymal stromal cells (also termed mesenchymal ...

Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Oligodendrocyte Precursors

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system. For regenerative cell therapy in demyelinating diseases, there is significant interest in deriving a pure population of lineage-committed oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) for transplantation. OPCs are characterized by the activity of the transcription factor Olig2 and surface expression of a proteoglycan NG2. Using the GFP-Olig2 (G-Olig2) mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) reporter line, we optimized conditions for the differentiation of mESCs into GFP+Olig2+NG2+ OPCs. In our protocol, we first describe the generation of embryoid bodies (EBs) from mESCs. Second, we describe treatment of mESC-derived EBs with small molecules: (1) retinoic acid (RA) and (2) a sonic hedgehog (Shh) agonist purmorphamine (Pur) under defined culture conditions to direct EB differentiation into the oligodendroglial lineage. By this approach, OPCs can be obtained with high efficiency (&gt;80%) in a time period of 30 days. Cells derived from mESCs in this protocol are phenotypically similar to OPCs derived from primary tissue culture. The mESC-derived OPCs do not show the spiking property described for a subpopulation of brain OPCs in situ. To study this electrophysiological property, we describe the generation of spiking mESC-derived OPCs by ectopically expressing NaV1.2 subunit. The spiking and nonspiking cells obtained from this protocol will help advance functional studies on the two subpopulations of OPCs.

We describe a small molecule-based protocol for differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). This protocol generates Olig2+NG2+ OPCs with high efficiency by 30 days of differentiation. We also describe a method to generate "spiking" OPCs that can fire action potentials.

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system. For regenerative cell therapy in demyelinating diseases, there is significant ...

Xenotransplantation of Human Stem Cells into the Chicken Embryo

The chicken embryo is a classical animal model for studying normal embryonic and fetal development and for xenotransplantation experiments to study the behavior of cells in a standardized in vivo environment. The main advantages of the chicken embryo include low cost, high accessibility, ease of surgical manipulation and lack of a fully developed immune system. Xenotransplantation into chicken embryos can provide valuable information about cell proliferation, differentiation and behavior, the responses of cells to signals in defined embryonic tissue niches, and tumorigenic potential. Transplanting cells into chicken embryos can also be a step towards transplantation experiments in other animal models. Recently the chicken embryo has been used to evaluate the neurogenic potential of human stem and progenitor cells following implantation into neural anlage1-6. In this video we document the entire procedure for transplanting human stem cells into the developing central nervous system of the chicken embryo. The procedure starts with incubation of fertilized eggs until embryos of the desired age have developed. The eggshell is then opened, and the embryo contrasted by injecting dye between the embryo and the yolk. Small lesions are made in the neural tube using microsurgery, creating a regenerative site for cell deposition that promotes subsequent integration into the host tissue. We demonstrate injections of human stem cells into such lesions made in the part of the neural tube that forms the hindbrain and the spinal cord, and into the lumen of the part of the neural tube that forms the brain. Systemic injections into extraembryonic veins and arteries are also demonstrated as an alternative way to deliver cells to vascularized tissues including the central nervous system. Finally we show how to remove the embryo from the egg after several days of further development and how to dissect the spinal cord free for subsequent physiological, histological or biochemical analyses.

In this paper we present a method for transplanting human stem cells into various regions of the central nervous system of the chicken embryo. This provides an in vivo model for assessing the proliferation and differentiation of various types of human stem cells in embryonic tissue environments.

The chicken embryo is a classical animal model for studying normal embryonic and fetal development and for xenotransplantation experiments to study the ...

Reprogramming Human Somatic Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Using Retroviral Vector with GFP

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent and an invaluable cellular sources for in vitro disease modeling and regenerative medicine1. It has been previously shown that human somatic cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotency by ectopic expression of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc) and become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)2-4 . Like hESCs, human iPSCs are pluripotent and a potential source for autologous cells. Here we describe the protocol to reprogram human fibroblast cells with the four reprogramming factors cloned into GFP-containing retroviral backbone4. Using the following protocol, we generate human iPSCs in 3-4 weeks under human ESC culture condition. Human iPSC colonies closely resemble hESCs in morphology and display the loss of GFP fluorescence as a result of retroviral transgene silencing. iPSC colonies isolated mechanically under a fluorescence microscope behave in a similar fashion as hESCs. In these cells, we detect the expression of multiple pluripotency genes and surface markers.

Reprogramming Human Somatic Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells iPSCs Using Retroviral Vector with GFP

A method to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) via retrovirus-mediated ectopic expression of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC is described. A practical way to identify human iPSC colonies based on GFP expression is also discussed.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent and an invaluable cellular sources for in vitro disease modeling and regenerative medicine1. It has ...

Efficient Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Motor Neurons

Direct differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into functional motor neurons represents a promising resource to study disease mechanisms, to screen new drug compounds, and to develop new therapies for motor neuron diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Many current protocols use a combination of retinoic acid (RA) and sonic hedgehog (Shh) to differentiate mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells into motor neurons1-4. However, the differentiation efficiency of mES cells into motor neurons has only met with moderate success. We have developed a two-step differentiation protocol5 that significantly improves the differentiation efficiency compared with currently established protocols. The first step is to enhance the neuralization process by adding Noggin and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Noggin is a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist and is implicated in neural induction according to the default model of neurogenesis and results in the formation of anterior neural patterning6. FGF signaling acts synergistically with Noggin in inducing neural tissue formation by promoting a posterior neural identity7-9. In this step, mES cells were primed with Noggin, bFGF, and FGF-8 for two days to promote differentiation towards neural lineages. The second step is to induce motor neuron specification. Noggin/FGFs exposed mES cells were incubated with RA and a Shh agonist, Smoothened agonist (SAG), for another 5 days to facilitate motor neuron generation. To monitor the differentiation of mESs into motor neurons, we used an ES cell line derived from a transgenic mouse expressing eGFP under the control of the motor neuron specific promoter Hb91. Using this robust protocol, we achieved 51&plusmn;0.8% of differentiation efficiency (n = 3; p &lt; 0.01, Student's t-test)5. Results from immunofluorescent staining showed that GFP+ cells express the motor neuron specific markers, Islet-1 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Our two-step differentiation protocol provides an efficient way to differentiate mES cells into spinal motor neurons.

We developed a new protocol to improve efficiency of in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into motor neurons. The differentiated ES cells acquired motor neurons features as evidenced by expression of neuronal and motor neuron markers using immunohistochemical techniques.

Direct differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into functional  motor neurons represents a promising resource to study disease mechanisms, to  screen ...

Generation of Mice Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells provides a means to create valuable tools for basic research and may also produce a source of patient-matched cells for regenerative therapies. iPSCs may be generated using multiple protocols and derived from multiple cell sources. Once generated, iPSCs are tested using a variety of assays including immunostaining for pluripotency markers, generation of three germ layers in embryoid bodies and teratomas, comparisons of gene expression with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and production of chimeric mice with or without germline contribution2. Importantly, iPSC lines that pass these tests still vary in their capacity to produce different differentiated cell types2. This has made it difficult to establish which iPSC derivation protocols, donor cell sources or selection methods are most useful for different applications.
The most stringent test of whether a stem cell line has sufficient developmental potential to generate all tissues required for survival of an organism (termed full pluripotency) is tetraploid embryo complementation (TEC)3-5. Technically, TEC involves electrofusion of two-cell embryos to generate tetraploid (4n) one-cell embryos that can be cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage6. Diploid (2n) pluripotent stem cells (e.g. ESCs or iPSCs) are then injected into the blastocoel cavity of the tetraploid blastocyst and transferred to a recipient female for gestation (see Figure 1). The tetraploid component of the complemented embryo contributes almost exclusively to the extraembryonic tissues (placenta, yolk sac), whereas the diploid cells constitute the embryo proper, resulting in a fetus derived entirely from the injected stem cell line.
Recently, we reported the derivation of iPSC lines that reproducibly generate adult mice via TEC1. These iPSC lines give rise to viable pups with efficiencies of 5-13%, which is comparable to ESCs3,4,7 and higher than that reported for most other iPSC lines8-12. These reports show that direct reprogramming can produce fully pluripotent iPSCs that match ESCs in their developmental potential and efficiency of generating pups in TEC tests. At present, it is not clear what distinguishes between fully pluripotent iPSCs and less potent lines13-15. Nor is it clear which reprogramming methods will produce these lines with the highest efficiency. Here we describe one method that produces fully pluripotent iPSCs and "all- iPSC" mice, which may be helpful for investigators wishing to compare the pluripotency of iPSC lines or establish the equivalence of different reprogramming methods.

Generating induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines produces lines of differing developmental potential even when they pass standard tests for pluripotency. Here we describe a protocol to produce mice derived entirely from iPSCs, which defines the iPSC lines as possessing full pluripotency1.

The production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells provides a means to create valuable tools for basic research and may also ...

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for proper morphogenesis during development. Misregulation of this process has been implicated as a key event in fibrosis and the progression of carcinomas to a metastatic state. Understanding the processes that underlie EMT is imperative for the early diagnosis and clinical control of these disease states. Reliable induction of EMT in vitro is a useful tool for drug discovery as well as to identify common gene expression signatures for diagnostic purposes. Here we demonstrate a straightforward method for the induction of EMT in a variety of cell types. Methods for the analysis of cells pre- and post-EMT induction by immunocytochemistry are also included. Additionally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this method through antibody-based array analysis and migration/invasion assays.

A straightforward method is described for the induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of cell types. Methods for the analysis of cells in EMT states by immunocytochemistry are included.

Epithelial  to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for proper morphogenesis during  development. Misregulation of this  process has been implicated ...

Retroviral Infection of Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Embryoid Body Cells for Analysis of Hematopoietic Differentiation

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are an outstanding model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation. They are especially useful for investigating the development of early hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Gene expression in ESCs can be manipulated by several techniques that allow the role for individual molecules in development to be determined. One difficulty is that expression of specific genes often has different phenotypic effects dependent on their temporal expression. This problem can be circumvented by the generation of ESCs that inducibly express a gene of interest using technology such as the doxycycline-inducible transgene system. However, generation of these inducible cell lines is costly and time consuming. Described here is a method for disaggregating ESC-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) into single cell suspensions, retrovirally infecting the cell suspensions, and then reforming the EBs by hanging drop. Downstream differentiation is then evaluated by flow cytometry. Using this protocol, it was demonstrated that exogenous expression of a microRNA gene at the beginning of ESC differentiation blocks HPC generation. However, when expressed in EB derived cells after nascent mesoderm is produced, the microRNA gene enhances hematopoietic differentiation. This method is useful for investigating the role of genes after specific germ layer tissue is derived.

Manipulating temporal gene expression in differentiating embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be achieved using inducible gene systems. However, generation of these cell lines is costly and time consuming. This protocol achieves rapid expression of a transgene in differentiating ES-derived cells and subsequent analysis of downstream hematopoietic differentiation.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are an outstanding model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation. They are especially useful for ...

Nephrotoxin Microinjection in Zebrafish to Model Acute Kidney Injury

The kidneys are susceptible to harm from exposure to chemicals they filter from the bloodstream. This can lead to organ injury associated with a rapid decline in renal function and development of the clinical syndrome known as acute kidney injury (AKI). Pharmacological agents used to treat medical circumstances ranging from bacterial infection to cancer, when administered individually or in combination with other drugs, can initiate AKI. Zebrafish are a useful animal model to study the chemical effects on renal function in vivo, as they form an embryonic kidney comprised of nephron functional units that are conserved with higher vertebrates, including humans. Further, zebrafish can be utilized to perform genetic and chemical screens, which provide opportunities to elucidate the cellular and molecular facets of AKI and develop therapeutic strategies such as the identification of nephroprotective molecules. Here, we demonstrate how microinjection into the zebrafish embryo can be utilized as a paradigm for nephrotoxin studies.

Renal injuries incurred from nephrotoxins, which include drugs ranging from antibiotics to chemotherapeutics, can result in complex disorders whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. This protocol demonstrates how zebrafish can be used for disease modeling of these conditions, which can be applied to the identification of renoprotective measures.

The kidneys are susceptible to harm from exposure to chemicals they filter from the bloodstream. This can lead to organ injury associated with a rapid ...