Project description:We performed WGBS analyses on 6 human fetal samples at 53-137 days of development, 4 female and 2 male. We show that methylation reprogramming in the human germline is global yet incomplete with exons, 3’UTRs and human-specific transposons remaining methylated.
Project description:We performed WGBS analyses on 6 human fetal samples at 53-137 days of development, 4 female and 2 male. We show that methylation reprogramming in the human germline is global yet incomplete with exons, 3’UTRs and human-specific transposons remaining methylated. Whole Genome Bisulfite-Seq of cKIT+ cells analyzed from 4 biological samples for fetal ovaries from 57-113 days of development and 2 samples for fetal testes at 59 and 137 days of development.
Project description:We performed RNA-Seq analyses on 15 human fetal samples at 53-137 days of development, 9 female and 5 male, and identified the transcriptional changes during the transition of human cKIT+ primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of gametes, to the generation of Advanced Germline Cells. Comparing the transcriptional profile of PGCs to that of H1 and UCLA1 hESCs identifies differences between the two cell types and pinpoints molecules that can be used in the development of in vitro germ cell differentiation protocols starting from human pluripotent stem cells.
Project description:We performed RNA-Seq analyses on 15 human fetal samples at 53-137 days of development, 9 female and 5 male, and identified the transcriptional changes during the transition of human cKIT+ primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of gametes, to the generation of Advanced Germline Cells. Comparing the transcriptional profile of PGCs to that of H1 and UCLA1 hESCs identifies differences between the two cell types and pinpoints molecules that can be used in the development of in vitro germ cell differentiation protocols starting from human pluripotent stem cells. RNA-Seq of cKIT+ cells analyzed from 6 biological samples for testes and 9 samples for ovaries from 53-137 days. 2 biological replicates of TRA-1-81+ cells sorted from H1 and UCLA1 hESCs. WGBS of cKIT+ cells analyzed from 4 biological samples of ovaries and 1 biological sample of testes at 57-137 days of development.
Project description:Generation of research quality, clinically relevant cell types in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) requires detailed understanding of the equivalent cell types in humans. Here we analyzed 130 human fetal samples at 6-20 weeks of development and identified the stages in which human cKIT+ primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of gametes, undergo whole genome epigenetic reprogramming and ultimately initiation of imprint erasure with loss of both 5mC and 5-hydroxy-mC at differentially methylated regions. Using five alternate in vitro differentiation strategies combined with a single-cell microfluidic analysis, high throughput RNA sequencing and a bona fide human cKIT+ PGC signature, we show that hPSC differentiation generates a rare cKIT+ PGC subtype found in both the human fetal gonad and mouse embryo. Taken together, our study creates a resource of human germ line ontogeny that is absolutely essential for future studies aimed at interpreting in vitro differentiation of the human germ line.
Project description:Generation of research quality, clinically relevant cell types in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) requires detailed understanding of the equivalent cell types in humans. Here we analyzed 130 human fetal samples at 6-20 weeks of development and identified the stages in which human cKIT+ primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of gametes, undergo whole genome epigenetic reprogramming and ultimately initiation of imprint erasure with loss of both 5mC and 5-hydroxy-mC at differentially methylated regions. Using five alternate in vitro differentiation strategies combined with a single-cell microfluidic analysis, high throughput RNA sequencing and a bona fide human cKIT+ PGC signature, we show that hPSC differentiation generates a rare cKIT+ PGC subtype found in both the human fetal gonad and mouse embryo. Taken together, our study creates a resource of human germ line ontogeny that is absolutely essential for future studies aimed at interpreting in vitro differentiation of the human germ line. cKIT+ cells analyzed from 2 biological samples for testes and 2 samples for ovaries at 16 and 16.5 weeks. 3 biological replicates of TRA-1-60+ cells sorted from H1 hESCs
Project description:Activation of the Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) in spermatogenic cells leads to apoptosis and infertility of males. To elucidate a mechanisms of apoptosis induced by HSF1 we generated transgenic mice expressing mutated, constitutively active human HSF1 (with a deletion of amino acids 221–315) specifically in spermatocytes (under control of the rat Hspa2 promoter). We carried out genome-wide transcriptional analyses in testes of control, wild-type, and transgenic males. Genes that changed the expression due to activation of HSF1 have been identified.
Project description:The presence of NaCl-resistant, neutral triacylglycerol hydrolase (lipase) activity in rat adrenal gland, ovary and testis was studied. Both adrenals and ovaries but not testes were found to contain such a lipase. The activity of the enzyme in the adrenal gland was lowered during cortisol treatment and hypothyroidism. An elevated adrenal lipase activity was found during hyperthyroidism. Pseudo-pregnant and lactating rats had higher ovarian lipase activities than cyclic rats. Ovarian lipase activity in lactating rats was positively correlated with the serum concentrations of progesterone and of 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and negatively correlated with the high-density-lipoprotein non-esterified cholesterol concentration. The lipase activity of adrenals and of ovaries was largely releasable from these organs by heparin and could be inhibited by an antibody against heparin-releasable liver lipase. This indicated that the lipase is extracellularly located and is similar to 'liver' lipase. A possible role of this lipase in adrenals and ovaries is discussed.