Wild Bornean orangutans experience muscle catabolism during episodes of fruit scarcity.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: O'Connell CA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8119411 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Indonesia's peatlands experience frequent and intense wildfires, producing hazardous smoke with consequences for human health, yet there is a lack of research into adverse effects on wildlife. We evaluated the effects of smoke on the activity and energy balance of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) in a peat swamp forest at the Tuanan Research Station, Central Kalimantan. We collected behavioural data and urine samples from four adult flanged males before, during, and after wildfires between March 2015 and January 2016. During fires, particulate matter (PM10) concentrations were hazardous. Orangutans increased rest time during and after the smoke period, and decreased travel time and distance and increased fat catabolism post-smoke. The increase in post-smoke ketones was not related to changes in caloric intake and was likely due to an increase in energy expenditure, possibly related to immune response. Results show that wildfire smoke negatively affects orangutan condition, and sustained research is needed to assess the magnitude of the threat to the long-term viability of this Critically Endangered species.
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Project description:Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) are an endangered non-human primate species. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising avenue for preserving genetic resources and studying evolutionary processes. In this study, we successfully generate Bornean orangutan iPSCs (o-iPSCs) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using Sendai virus-mediated reprogramming. Furthermore, we transform primed o-iPSCs into a naïve pluripotent state using a novel 4i/L/A culture system. The resulting naïve o-iPSCs exhibit key features similar to human naïve stem cells, including upregulation of KLF17, DNMT3L, and DPPA3/5. We also observe significant activation of the WNT signaling pathway and X chromosome reactivation in the 4i/L/A o-iPSCs. Transcriptome analysis confirmed their resemblance to human naïve embryonic stem cells. Our findings contribute to the molecular understanding of naïve o-iPSCs and provide a foundation for orangutan conservation using advanced technologies.
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Project description:Introduction: Orangutans, classified under the Pongo genus, are an endangered non-human primate (NHP) species. Derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a promising avenue for conserving the genetic resources of these animals. Earlier studies focused on deriving orangutan iPSCs (o-iPSCs) from Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii). To date, no reports specifically target the other Critically Endangered species in the Pongo genus, the Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Methods: Using Sendai virus-mediated Yamanaka factor-based reprogramming of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to generate iPSCs (bo-iPSCs) from a female captive Bornean orangutan. In this study, we evaluate the colony morphology, pluripotent markers, X chromosome activation status, and transcriptomic profile of the bo-iPSCs to demonstrate the pluripotency of iPSCs from Bornean orangutans. Results: The bo-iPSCs were successfully derived from Bornean orangutans, using Sendai virus-mediated Yamanaka factor-based reprogramming of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. When a modified 4i/L/A (m4i/L/A) culture system was applied to activate the WNT signaling pathway in these bo-iPSCs, the derived cells (m-bo-iPSCs) manifested characteristics akin to human naive pluripotent stem cells, including high expression levels of KLF17, DNMT3L, and DPPA3/5, as well as the X chromosome reactivation. Comparative RNA-seq analysis positioned the m-bo-iPSCs between human naive and formative pluripotent states. Furthermore, the m-bo-iPSCs express differentiation capacity into all three germlines, evidenced by controlled in vitro embryoid body formation assay. Discussion: Our work establishes a novel approach to preserve the genetic diversity of endangered Bornean orangutans while offering insights into primate stem cell pluripotency. In the future, derivation of the primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from m-bo-iPSCs is needed to demonstrate the further specific application in species preservation and broaden the knowledge of primordial germ cell specification across species.
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