Endoderm differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) [RNA-Seq]
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Purpose: The goal of this study is to identify the whole-genome transcriptome profiling of differentially expressed genes during human embryonic stem cell differentiation. Methods: Triplicate RNA profiles were generated from hESCs and induced endoderm cells, by deep sequencing with Illumina NextSeq 500. Results: We identified 6320 genes differentially expressed between hESCs and induced endoderm cells, with foldchange 1.5 and P < 0.05. Conclusion: Our study confirms that endodermal gene were dramatically induced during endoderm differentiation.
Project description:Using a well-established human definitive endoderm differentiation system, we can analyze the gene expression dynamic of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) during endoderm differentiation. Samples from hESCs, D2 cells and definitive endoderm cells (DE) were collected for deep sequencing with two replicates for each sample. Differentially expressed genes analysis showed that endodermal genes were induced during endoderm differentiation.
Project description:The definitive endoderm germ layer is the provenance of multiple internal organs, including the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines. Molecular events driving initial endoderm germ layer specification and subsequent anterior-posterior patterning of endoderm into distinct organ primordia remain largely cryptic. Through microarray analyses, we captured genome-wide transcriptional dynamics driving successive stages of endoderm development with the intent of identifying novel regulatory genes or diagnostic markers that respectively drive or mark endoderm committment. HES3 human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were differentiated into highly homogeneous endodermal progenitor populations, and microarray analyses were conducted of six different populations at different tiers of the endodermal lineage hierarchy: undifferentiated hESCs, anterior primitive streak (day 1 of in vitro differentiation), definitive endoderm (day 3) and anterior foregut, posterior foregut or midgut/hindgut patterned endoderm populations (day 7). Additionally, we compared hESCs differentiated using two alternative endoderm induction protocols, serum-based or AFBLy-based differentiation (both day 3 of differentiation).
Project description:To elucidate the Nodal transcriptional network that governs endoderm formation, we used ChIP-Seq to identify genomic targets for SMAD2/3, SMAD3, SMAD4, FOXH1 and the active and repressive chromatin marks, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and derived endoderm. We demonstrate that while SMAD2/3, SMAD4 and FOXH1 target binding is highly dynamic, there is an optimal signature for driving endoderm commitment. Initially, this signature is marked by both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 as a very broad bivalent domain in hESCs. Within the first 24 hours, at a few select promoters, SMAD2/3 accumulation coincides with H3K27me3 depletion so that these loci become selectively monovalent marked only by H3K4me3. The correlation between SMAD2/3 binding, monovalent formation and transcriptional activation suggests a mechanism by which SMAD proteins coordinate with chromatin at critical promoters to drive endoderm specification. Examination of 2 different histone modifications and 4 different transcription factor associations in 2 cell types. For transcription factor analysis, three biological replicate ChIPs were pooled from each antibody, as well as input controls, for both hESCs and derived endoderm. For histone modifications, two biological replicates for H3K4me3 and three for H3K27me3 were used.
Project description:To elucidate the Nodal transcriptional network that governs endoderm formation, we used ChIP-Seq to identify genomic targets for SMAD2/3, SMAD3, SMAD4, FOXH1 and the active and repressive chromatin marks, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and derived endoderm. We demonstrate that while SMAD2/3, SMAD4 and FOXH1 target binding is highly dynamic, there is an optimal signature for driving endoderm commitment. Initially, this signature is marked by both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 as a very broad bivalent domain in hESCs. Within the first 24 hours, at a few select promoters, SMAD2/3 accumulation coincides with H3K27me3 depletion so that these loci become selectively monovalent marked only by H3K4me3. The correlation between SMAD2/3 binding, monovalent formation and transcriptional activation suggests a mechanism by which SMAD proteins coordinate with chromatin at critical promoters to drive endoderm specification.
Project description:In this report, we examine transcripts on a genome-wide level between the synchronized cell cycles of hESCs and hESC-derived endoderm cells. We found 10347, 10299 and 10362 genes expressed in the G1, G1/S, and S phase of hESCs, respectively; 10333, 10227 and 10215 genes expressed at the G1, G1/S and S phase of derived endoderm. We compared the transcriptome between these data sets and identified genes with differentiated phase expression between hESCs and hESC-derived endoderm cells. Examination of the transcriptome at the G1-S transition in hESCs compared to hESC-derived endoderm cells.
Project description:In this report, we examine transcripts on a genome-wide level between the synchronized cell cycles of hESCs and hESC-derived endoderm cells. We found 10347, 10299 and 10362 genes expressed in the G1, G1/S, and S phase of hESCs, respectively; 10333, 10227 and 10215 genes expressed at the G1, G1/S and S phase of derived endoderm. We compared the transcriptome between these data sets and identified genes with differentiated phase expression between hESCs and hESC-derived endoderm cells.
Project description:N6-methyladenonsine (m6A) modification locates ubiquitously in mammalian mRNA, and profoundly impacts various physiological processes and pathogenesis. However, the precise involvement of m6A in early endoderm development has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we reported that depletion of the m6A demethylase ALKBH5 in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) severely impaired definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation. Within this process, ALKBH5-/- hESCs failed to undergo the primitive streak (PS) intermediate transition, which is considered as a prelude to endoderm specification. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ALKBH5 deficiency induced m6A hypermethylation around the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of GATA6 transcripts and destabilized GATA6 mRNA in a YTHDF2-dependent manner. Moreover, dysregulation of GATA6 expression ablated its occupancy with critical regulators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby disrupting the signaling logic underlying DE formation. Overall, our findings unveil a mechanism whereby the ALKBH5-GATA6-WNT/β-catenin axis modulates human in vitro DE induction, and present novel insights on m6A modification in early embryonic development.
Project description:N6-methyladenonsine (m6A) modification locates ubiquitously in mammalian mRNA, and profoundly impacts various physiological processes and pathogenesis. However, the precise involvement of m6A in early endoderm development has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we reported that depletion of the m6A demethylase ALKBH5 in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) severely impaired definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation. Within this process, ALKBH5-/- hESCs failed to undergo the primitive streak (PS) intermediate transition, which is considered as a prelude to endoderm specification. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ALKBH5 deficiency induced m6A hypermethylation around the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of GATA6 transcripts and destabilized GATA6 mRNA in a YTHDF2-dependent manner. Moreover, dysregulation of GATA6 expression ablated its occupancy with critical regulators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby disrupting the signaling logic underlying DE formation. Overall, our findings unveil a mechanism whereby the ALKBH5-GATA6-WNT/β-catenin axis modulates human in vitro DE induction, and present novel insights on m6A modification in early embryonic development.
Project description:N6-methyladenonsine (m6A) modification locates ubiquitously in mammalian mRNA, and profoundly impacts various physiological processes and pathogenesis. However, the precise involvement of m6A in early endoderm development has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we reported that depletion of the m6A demethylase ALKBH5 in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) severely impaired definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation. Within this process, ALKBH5-/- hESCs failed to undergo the primitive streak (PS) intermediate transition, which is considered as a prelude to endoderm specification. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ALKBH5 deficiency induced m6A hypermethylation around the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of GATA6 transcripts and destabilized GATA6 mRNA in a YTHDF2-dependent manner. Moreover, dysregulation of GATA6 expression ablated its occupancy with critical regulators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby disrupting the signaling logic underlying DE formation. Overall, our findings unveil a mechanism whereby the ALKBH5-GATA6-WNT/β-catenin axis modulates human in vitro DE induction, and present novel insights on m6A modification in early embryonic development.
Project description:Forced expression of transcription factors for lineage reprogramming brings hope to cell-based therapy. However, its application is hampered by risks of potential genetic aberrations and tumorigenicity. Using defined small molecules in presence of gastric stromal cells as feeders, we reprogramed human gastric epithelia into induced multipotent endodermal progenitors (hiMEPs) with efficiency of up-to-6%. The hiMEPs expressed genes relative to endodermal lineages but not associating with pluripotency, and could be expanded clonogenically remaining as undifferentiated colonies. Upon induction, hiMEPs were able to give rise to multiple functional endodermal cell types, apart from ectodermal or mesodermal lineages. TGFβ inhibition and particular Wnt signaling activation were crucial in reprogramming process. Collective advantages of availability from donors without age restriction, capabilities in expansion and differentiation, and no concern of tumorigenesis, let hiMEPs have the considerable application potentials on cell therapies of diseases such as liver failure and diabetes, as well as personalized drug-screenings. Gastric epithelial cells (GECs) were isolated from human stomach. Human induced multipotent endodermal progenitors (hiMEPs) were reprogrammed from GECs by small molecules. The hiMEP-Heps were differentiated from hiMEPs under hepatic differentiation protocol. Fetal-Heps were isolated from aborted fetal liver. Definitve endoderm (DE), primitive gut tube (PGT), and posterior foregut (PFG) were endodermal stem cells derived form human enbryonic stem cells (hESCs).We used RNA sequencing and DNA methylation analysis to detail the global gene expression profile of GECs, hiMEPs, hiMEP-Heps, Fetal-Heps, DE, PGT and PFG to delineate the difference of these cells.