Dataset Information

FGF4 and retinoic acid direct differentiation of hESCs into PDX1-expressing foregut endoderm in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Retinoic acid (RA) and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) signaling control endoderm patterning and pancreas induction/expansion. Based on these findings, RA and FGFs, excluding FGF4, have frequently been used in differentiation protocols to direct differentiation of hESCs into endodermal and pancreatic cell types. In vivo, these signaling pathways act in a temporal and concentration-dependent manner. However, in vitro, the underlying basis for the time of addition of growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), including RA and FGFs, as well as the concentration is lacking. Thus, in order to develop robust and reliable differentiation protocols of ESCs into mature pancreatic cell types, including insulin-producing beta cells, it will be important to mechanistically understand each specification step. This includes differentiation of mesendoderm/definitive endoderm into foregut endoderm--the origin of pancreatic endoderm.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we provide data on the individual and combinatorial role of RA and FGF4 in directing differentiation of ActivinA (AA)-induced hESCs into PDX1-expressing cells. FGF4's ability to affect endoderm patterning and specification in vitro has so far not been tested. By testing out the optimal concentration and timing of addition of FGF4 and RA, we present a robust differentiation protocol that on average generates 32% PDX1(+) cells. Furthermore, we show that RA is required for converting AA-induced hESCs into PDX1(+) cells, and that part of the underlying mechanism involves FGF receptor signaling. Finally, further characterization of the PDX1(+) cells suggests that they represent foregut endoderm not yet committed to pancreatic, posterior stomach, or duodenal endoderm.

Conclusion/significance

In conclusion, we show that RA and FGF4 jointly direct differentiation of PDX1(+) foregut endoderm in a robust and efficient manner. RA signaling mediated by the early induction of RARbeta through AA/Wnt3a is required for PDX1 expression. Part of RA's activity is mediated by FGF signaling.

SUBMITTER: Johannesson M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2651644 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

FGF4 and retinoic acid direct differentiation of hESCs into PDX1-expressing foregut endoderm in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

Johannesson Martina M Ståhlberg Anders A Ameri Jacqueline J Sand Fredrik Wolfhagen FW Norrman Karin K Semb Henrik H

PloS one 20090311 3

<h4>Background</h4>Retinoic acid (RA) and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) signaling control endoderm patterning and pancreas induction/expansion. Based on these findings, RA and FGFs, excluding FGF4, have frequently been used in differentiation protocols to direct differentiation of hESCs into endodermal and pancreatic cell types. In vivo, these signaling pathways act in a temporal and concentration-dependent manner. However, in vitro, the underlying basis for the time of addition of growth an ...[more]

PMID: 19277121

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Project description:The aim of the study was to define the specific gene expression signature of pancreatic endoderm cells (PECs), by designing a strategy for generating putative PECs (PDX1+/NKX6-1+, and posterior foregut endoderm (PFG) cells (PDX1+/NKX6-1-). Cell line: PDX1-eGFP reporter cell line (PDXeG clone 170-3) generated using the HUES-4 embryonic stem cell line. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were maintained on irradiated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Generation of a hESC-derived PDX1-eGFP reporter cell line: A PDX1-targeting vector was constructed by inserting an eGFP-pSV40-NeoR reporter cassette into the 5â² untranslated region of the PDX1 gene upstream of the PDX1 start codon (ATG), resulting in an GFP-tagged PDX1 allele. The GFP cassette was flanked by a 12.5kb homologous arm on the 5â direction and by a 3,5kb homologous arm on the 3 direction. The final targeting construct was verified by PCR, restriction analysis and sequencing. After approximately 2 weeks emerging clones were picked, expanded and analyzed by PCR. The Neomycin cassette was deleted by using a CRE expression vector (NLS-CRE-IRES-Puro) that was transiently co-transfected with a DsRED or GFP plasmid into selected targeted cloned. 24 hours post electroporation, GFP/DsRED positive single cells were FACS sorted and plated into 96-well plates. Clones were expanded and characterized for Neo excision by PCR. Differentiation protocol: hESCs cultured on MEFs were grown until 90% confluency and differentiated into definitive endoderm (DE) by using a modified version of the DâAmour protocol (D'Amour et al., 2005). The first day of differentiation, hESCs were cultured in the presence of 100ng/ml human Activin A (Peprotech) and 25ng/ml Wnt3a (R&D systems) in RPMI medium (Life Technologies). The four following days 100ng/ml human Activin A was added together with 1x B27-insulin in RPMI medium (Life Technologies). To generate posterior foregut cells, DE cells were treated with 64 ng/ml bFGF for additional 12 days. To generate pancreatic endoderm cells, DE cells were first treated with 2uM retinoic acid (RA, Sigma Aldrich) in DMEM/F12 medium containing 1x B27 +insulin (Life Technologies) for three days and then finally treated with 64 ng/ml FGF2 in combination with 100 ng/ml Noggin for the remaining 9 days.

Dataset Information

FGF4 and retinoic acid direct differentiation of hESCs into PDX1-expressing foregut endoderm in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusion/significance

Publications

FGF4 and retinoic acid direct differentiation of hESCs into PDX1-expressing foregut endoderm in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

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