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Information remains scarce on human development compared to animal models. Here, we reconstructed human fetal pancreatic differentiation using cell surface markers. We demonstrate that at 7weeks of development, the glycoprotein 2 (GP2) marks a multipotent cell population that will differentiate into the acinar, ductal or endocrine lineages. Development towards the acinar lineage is paralleled by an increase in GP2 expression. Conversely, a subset of the GP2+ population undergoes endocrine differentiation by down-regulating GP2 and CD142 and turning on NEUROG3, a marker of endocrine differentiation. Endocrine maturation progresses by up-regulating SUSD2 and lowering ECAD levels. Finally, in vitro differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells mimics key in vivo events. Our work paves the way to extend our understanding of the origin of mature human pancreatic cell types and how such lineage decisions are regulated.

Constitutive promoters that ensure sustained and high level gene expression are basic research tools that have a wide range of applications, including studies of human embryology and drug discovery in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Numerous cellular/viral promoters that ensure sustained gene expression in various cell types have been identified but systematic comparison of their activities in hESCs is still lacking. We have quantitatively compared promoter activities of five commonly used constitutive promoters, including the human β-actin promoter (ACTB), cytomegalovirus (CMV), elongation factor-1α, (EF1α), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and ubiquitinC (UbC) in hESCs. Lentiviral gene transfer was used to ensure stable integration of promoter-eGFP constructs into the hESCs genome. Promoter activities were quantitatively compared in long term culture of undifferentiated hESCs and in their differentiated progenies. The ACTB, EF1α and PGK promoters showed stable activities during long term culture of undifferentiated hESCs. The ACTB promoter was superior by maintaining expression in 75-80% of the cells after 50 days in culture. During embryoid body (EB) differentiation, promoter activities of all five promoters decreased. Although the EF1α promoter was downregulated in approximately 50% of the cells, it was the most stable promoter during differentiation. Gene expression analysis of differentiated eGFP+ and eGFP- cells indicate that promoter activities might be restricted to specific cell lineages, suggesting the need to carefully select optimal promoters for constitutive gene expression in differentiated hESCs.

Background: In most measurements of gene expression, mRNA is first reverse-transcribed into cDNA. We studied the reverse transcription reaction and its consequences for quantitative measurements of gene expression. Methods: We used SYBR green I-based quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) to measure the properties of reverse transcription reaction for the β-tubulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Glut2, CaV1D, and insulin II genes, using random hexamers, oligo(dT), and gene-specific reverse transcription primers. Results: Experimental variation in reverse transcription-QPCR (RT-QPCR) was mainly attributable to the reverse transcription step. Reverse transcription efficiency depended on priming strategy, and the dependence was different for the five genes studied. Reverse transcription yields also depended on total RNA concentration. Conclusions: RT-QPCR gene expression measurements are comparable only when the same priming strategy and reaction conditions are used in all experiments and the samples contain the same total amount of RNA. Experimental accuracy is improved by running samples in (at least) duplicate starting with the reverse transcription reaction.

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. 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. 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.

During mammalian aging, cellular proteins become increasingly damaged: for example, by carbonylation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The means to ensure that offspring are born without such damage are unknown. Unexpectedly, we found that undifferentiated mouse ES cells contain high levels of both carbonyls and AGEs. The damaged proteins, identified as chaperones and proteins of the cytoskeleton, are the main targets for protein oxidation in aged tissues. However, the mouse ES cells rid themselves of such damage upon differentiation in vitro. This elimination of damaged proteins coincides with a considerably elevated activity of the 20S proteasome. Moreover, damaged proteins were primarily observed in the inner cell mass of blastocysts, whereas the cells that had embarked on differentiation into the trophectoderm displayed drastically reduced levels of protein damage. Thus, the elimination of protein damage occurs also during normal embryonic development in vivo. This clear-out of damaged proteins may be a part of a previously unknown rejuvenation process at the protein level that occurs at a distinct stage during early embryonic development.

Signals From the Embryonic Mouse Pancreas Induce Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Into Insulin-Producing β-Cell–Like Cells Gabriella K.C. Brolén 1 , Nico Heins 2 , Josefina Edsbagge 2 and Henrik Semb 1 1 Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden 2 Cellartis, Gothenburg, Sweden Address correspondence and reprint requests to Henrik Semb, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University BMC, B10 SE-22184 Lund, Sweden. E-mail: Henrik.Semb{at}med.lu.se Abstract The recent success in restoring normoglycemia in type 1 diabetes by islet cell transplantation indicates that cell replacement therapy of this severe disease is achievable. However, the severe lack of donor islets has increased the demand for alternative sources of β-cells, such as adult and embryonic stem cells. Here, we investigate the potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to differentiate into β-cells. Spontaneous differentiation of hESCs under two-dimensional growth conditions resulted in differentiation of Pdx1 + /Foxa2 + pancreatic progenitors and Pdx1 + /Isl1 + endocrine progenitors but no insulin-producing cells. However, cotransplantation of differentiated hESCs with the dorsal pancreas, but not with the liver or telencephalon, from mouse embryos resulted in differentiation of β-cell–like cell clusters. Comparative analysis of the basic characteristics of hESC-derived insulin + cell clusters with human adult islets demonstrated that the insulin + cells share important features with normal β-cells, such as synthesis (proinsulin) and processing (C-peptide) of insulin and nuclear localization of key β-cell transcription factors, including Foxa2, Pdx1, and Isl1. DAPI, 6′diamidino-2-phenylindole dhESC, differentiated human embryonic stem cell EGFP, enhanced green fluorescent protein hESC, human embryonic stem cell mAb, monoclonal antibody MEF, mouse embryonic fibroblast PFA, paraformaldehyde PBS-T, Triton X-100 in PBS Footnotes Accepted July 20, 2005. Received May 9, 2005. DIABETES

Artifactual Insulin Release From Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells Mattias Hansson 1 , Anna Tonning 2 , Ulrik Frandsen 1 , Andreas Petri 1 3 , Jayaraj Rajagopal 4 , Mikael C.O. Englund 5 , R. Scott Heller 1 , Joakim Håkansson 2 , Jan Fleckner 3 , Helen Nilsson Sköld 2 , Douglas Melton 4 , Henrik Semb 2 and Palle Serup 1 1 Department of Developmental Biology, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark 2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden 3 Department of Molecular Genetics, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark 4 Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 5 Cell Therapeutics Scandinavia, Göteborg, Sweden Address correspondence and reprint requests to Palle Serup, Ph.D., Department of Developmental Biology, Hagedorn Research Institute, Niels Steensens vej 6, DK-2820 Gentofte, Denmark. E-mail: pas{at}hagedorn.dk . Or to Henrik Semb, Section for Endocrinology, Lunds University, Lund, Sweden. E-mail: henrik.semb{at}endo.mas.lu.se Abstract Several recent reports claim the generation of insulin-producing cells from embryonic stem cells via the differentiation of progenitors that express nestin. Here, we investigate further the properties of these insulin-containing cells. We find that although differentiated cells contain immunoreactive insulin, they do not contain proinsulin-derived C-peptide. Furthermore, we find variable insulin release from these cells upon glucose addition, but C-peptide release is never detected. In addition, many of the insulin-immunoreactive cells are undergoing apoptosis or necrosis. We further show that cells cultured in the presence of a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, which previously was reported to facilitate the differentiation of insulin + cells, are not C-peptide immunoreactive but take up fluorescein isothiocyanate–labeled insulin from the culture medium. Together, these data suggest that nestin + progenitor cells give rise to a population of cells that contain insulin, not as a result of biosynthesis but from the uptake of exogenous insulin. We conclude that C-peptide biosynthesis and secretion should be demonstrated to claim insulin production from embryonic stem cell progeny. bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor CNS, central nervous system EB, embryoid body ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ES, embryonic stem FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate Pdx1, pancreas duodenum homeobox-1 PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase RIA, radioimmunoassay TUNEL, transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling Footnotes M.H., A.T., and U.F. contributed equally to this work. H.S.’s current affiliation is with the Section for Endocrinology, Lunds University, Lund, Sweden. U.F.’s current affiliation is with Odense University Hospital, Clinical Molecular Endocrinology, Odense, Denmark. Accepted July 1, 2004. Received March 18, 2004. DIABETES

Pluripotency and self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is mediated by a complex interplay between extra- and intracellular signaling pathways, which regulate the expression of pluripotency-specific transcription factors. The homeodomain transcription factor NANOG plays a central role in maintaining hESC pluripotency, but the precise role and regulation of NANOG are not well defined. To facilitate the study of NANOG expression and regulation in viable hESC cultures, we generated fluorescent NANOG reporter cell lines by gene targeting in hESCs. In these reporter lines, the fluorescent reporter gene was co-expressed with endogenous NANOG and responded to experimental induction or repression of the NANOG promoter with appropriate changes in expression levels. Furthermore, NANOG reporter lines facilitated the separation of hESC populations based on NANOG expression levels and their subsequent characterization. Gene expression arrays on isolated hESC subpopulations revealed genes with differential expression in NANOG(high) and NANOG(low) hESCs, providing candidates for NANOG downstream targets hESCs. The newly derived NANOG reporter hESC lines present novel tools to visualize NANOG expression in viable hESCs. In future applications, these reporter lines can be used to elucidate the function and regulation of NANOG in pluripotent hESCs.

Background: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) require expression of transcription factor genes POU5F1 (POU class 5 homeobox 1), NANOG (Nanog homeobox), and SOX2 [SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2] to maintain their capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency. Because of the heterogeneous nature of cell populations, it is desirable to study the gene regulation in single cells. Large and potentially important fluctuations in a few cells cannot be detected at the population scale with microarrays or sequencing technologies. We used single-cell gene expression profiling to study cell heterogeneity in hESCs. Methods: We collected 47 single hESCs from cell line SA121 manually by glass capillaries and 57 single hESCs from cell line HUES3 by flow cytometry. Single hESCs were lysed and reverse-transcribed. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR was then used to measure the expression POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2, and the inhibitor of DNA binding genes ID1, ID2, and ID3. A quantitative noise model was used to remove measurement noise when pairwise correlations were estimated. Results: The numbers of transcripts per cell varied >100-fold between cells and showed lognormal features. POU5F1 expression positively correlated with ID1 and ID3 expression (P < 0.05) but not with NANOG or SOX2 expression. When we accounted for measurement noise, SOX2 expression was also correlated with ID1, ID2, and NANOG expression (P < 0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrate an accurate method for transcription profiling of individual hESCs. Cell-to-cell variability is large and is at least partly nonrandom because we observed correlations between core transcription factors. High fluctuations in gene expression may explain why individual cells in a seemingly undifferentiated cell population have different susceptibilities for inductive cues.

The pancreas originates from two epithelial evaginations of the foregut, which consist of multipotent epithelial progenitors that organize into a complex tubular epithelial network. The trunk domain of each epithelial branch consists of bipotent pancreatic progenitors (bi-PPs) that give rise to both duct and endocrine lineages, whereas the tips give rise to acinar cells 1 . Here we identify the extrinsic and intrinsic signalling mechanisms that coordinate the fate-determining transcriptional events underlying these lineage decisions 1 , 2 . Single-cell analysis of pancreatic bipotent pancreatic progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells reveal that cell confinement is a prerequisite for endocrine specification, whereas spreading drives the progenitors towards a ductal fate. Mechanistic studies identify the interaction of extracellular matrix (ECM) with integrin α5 as the extracellular cue that cell-autonomously, via the F-actin–YAP1–Notch mechanosignalling axis, controls the fate of bipotent pancreatic progenitors. Whereas ECM–integrin α5 signalling promotes differentiation towards the duct lineage, endocrinogenesis is stimulated when this signalling cascade is disrupted. This cascade can be disrupted pharmacologically or genetically to convert bipotent pancreatic progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells to hormone-producing islet cells. Our findings identify the cell-extrinsic and intrinsic mechanotransduction pathway that acts as gatekeeper in the fate decisions of bipotent pancreatic progenitors in the developing pancreas. Single-cell analysis reveals that interactions with the extracellular matrix via integrin α5 and mechanotransducer YAP1 determine whether pancreatic progenitors develop along the duct or endocrine lineages.