Dataset Information

Examining the Developmental Trajectory of an in Vitro Model of Mouse Primordial Germ Cells following Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Bisphenol A Levels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Animal-based studies indicate that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure is detrimental to reproductive health, but its impact on the earliest stages of germ cell development remains poorly defined.

Objectives

Using a murine in vitro model of early germ cell specification and differentiation, we sought to assess whether exposure to low levels of BPA prior to formation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) alters their differentiation trajectory and unique molecular program.

Methods

We used an established method of in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs) followed by PGC-like cells (PGCLCs), which together recapitulate defined stages of early germ cell development. Cellular consequences were determined using hemocytometer-based cell counting, fixation, and intracellular staining, followed by flow cytometry/fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of cells exposed to increasing concentrations (range: 1 nM-10 μM) of BPA. To interrogate and characterize gene expression differences resulting from BPA exposure, we also generated RNA-seq libraries from RNA extracted from FACS-purified PGCLCs and performed transcriptome analysis using bioinformatics-based approaches.

Results

Exposure of EpiLCs to BPA resulted in higher numbers of cells that were associated with a higher proportion of cells in S-phase as well as a lower proportion undergoing apoptosis; this difference occurred in a concentration-dependent manner. Exposure also resulted in a greater fraction of EpiLCs showing signs of DNA damage. Remarkably, EpiLC exposure did not negatively affect PGC specification and resulted in a concentration-dependent effect on PGCLC proliferation in XX but not XY cells. PGCLC transcriptome analysis revealed an aberrant program with significant deregulation of X-linked genes and retrotransposon expression. Differential gene expression analysis also revealed the deregulation of genes associated with lipid metabolism as well as deregulated expression of genes associated with later stages of gametogenesis.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge our findings represent the first characterization of the consequences of early BPA exposure on a model of mammalian PGC development, highlighting altered cell behavior, altered underlying pathways, and altered molecular processes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8196.

SUBMITTER: Ooi SKT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8480152 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background: Animal-based studies indicate that Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure is detrimental to reproductive health, but its impact on the earliest stages of germ cell development remain poorly defined. Objective: Using a murine in vitro model of early germ cell specification and differentiation, we sought to assess whether exposure to low levels of BPA prior to Primordial Germ Cell (PGC) formation alters their differentiation trajectory and unique molecular program. Methods: We used an established method of in vitro differentiation of mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) into Epiblast-like Cells (EpiLCs) followed by PGC-Like Cells (PGCLCs) which together recapitulates defined stages of early germ cell development. Cellular consequences were determined using hemocytometer-based cell counting, fixation and intracellular staining followed by flow cytometry/FACS on cells exposed to increasing doses of BPA. We also generated RNA-seq libraries from RNA extracted from FACS-purified PGCLCs and performed transcriptome analysis using bioinformatics-based approaches, to interrogate and characterise gene expression changes resulting from BPA exposure. Results: Exposure of EpiLCs to BPA resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cell number, associated with an increase proportion of cells in S-phase as well as a reduced proportion undergoing apoptosis. Exposure also resulted in a greater proportion of EpiLCs showing signs of DNA damage. Remarkably, EpiLC exposure did not negatively impact PGC specification and resulted in dose-dependent increase in PGCLC proliferation. However, PGCLC transcriptome analysis revealed an aberrant program with significant deregulation of X-linked genes and retrotransposon expression. Differential gene expression analysis also revealed the deregulation of genes associated with lipid metabolism as well as deregulated expression of genes associated with later stages of gametogenesis. Conclusions: Our findings represent the first characterisation of the consequences of early BPA exposure on a model of PGC development, highlighting altered cell behaviour and underlying pathways and molecular processes.