Functional genomics of 5- to 8-cell stage human embryos by blastomere single-cell cDNA analysis.

Blastomere fate and embryonic genome activation (EGA) during human embryonic development are unsolved areas of high scientific and clinical interest. Forty-nine blastomeres from 5- to 8-cell human embryos have been investigated following an efficient single-cell cDNA amplification protocol to provide a template for high-density microarray analysis. The previously described markers, characteristic of Inner Cell Mass (ICM) (n = 120), stemness (n = 190) and Trophectoderm (TE) (n = 45), were analyzed, and a housekeeping pattern of 46 genes was established. All the human blastomeres from the 5- to 8-cell stage embryo displayed a common gene expression pattern corresponding to ICM markers (e.g., DDX3, FOXD3, LEFTY1, MYC, NANOG, POU5F1), stemness (e.g., POU5F1, DNMT3B, GABRB3, SOX2, ZFP42, TERT), and TE markers (e.g., GATA6, EOMES, CDX2, LHCGR). The EGA profile was also investigated between the 5-6- and 8-cell stage embryos, and compared to the blastocyst stage. Known genes (n = 92) such as depleted maternal transcripts (e.g., CCNA1, CCNB1, DPPA2) and embryo-specific activation (e.g., POU5F1, CDH1, DPPA4), as well as novel genes, were confirmed. In summary, the global single-cell cDNA amplification microarray analysis of the 5- to 8-cell stage human embryos reveals that blastomere fate is not committed to ICM or TE. Finally, new EGA features in human embryogenesis are presented.

Efficient method for slow cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cells in xeno-free conditions.

An effective, consistent and xeno-free cryopreservation technique is crucial for any human embryonic stem cell (hESC) laboratory with future perspectives for clinical application. This study presents a new slow freezing-rapid thawing method in serum-free conditions that allows the cryopreservation of a large number of colonies without the use of a programmable freezer. To test its efficacy, this method has been compared with two established vitrification methods and applied to three different hESC lines (H9, VAL-3 and VAL-5). The method is based on an increasing concentration of dimethylsulphoxide (1.0, 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0 mol/l) with a slow or a rapid cooling system. Using this method, approximately 60 colonies per cryovial could be cryopreserved, the survival rate ranged between 15 and 68% depending on the cell line used, and the majority of the surviving colonies were grade A. Post-cryopreserved hESC have been cultured for 20 passages, re-cryopreserved and re-thawed with consistent results. After thawing, cells retained the inherent undifferentiated characteristics of hESC and growth rate curve, with a stable karyotype, telomerase activity and teratoma formation when injected into severe combined immunodeficient animals, which was comparable with the fresh lines. This method has been tested for 3 years in two different laboratories.

Derivation and characterization of three new Spanish human embryonic stem cell lines (VAL -3 -4 -5) on human feeder and in serum-free conditions.

A total of 184 human embryos, frozen for >5 years, were donated; informed consent was obtained according to Spanish law 45/2003. Survival rate was 40% and three out of 24 blastocysts (12.5%) developed into putative hESC lines, named VAL-3, VAL-4, and VAL-5. The derivation process was performed on microbiologically tested and irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts and designed to minimize contact with xeno-components in knockout DMEM supplemented with knockout serum replacement, and basic fibroblast growth factor. Fingerprinting and HLA typing of the cell lines allowed their identification and traceability. Karyotype was normal for VAL-3 (46XY), VAL-4 (46XX) and VAL-5 (46XX). All three hESC lines expressed specific markers for non-differentiation (Nanog, stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 [SSEA-4], tumour-related antigen [TRA]-1-60, and TRA-1-81) and were negative for SSEA-1. RT-PCR further demonstrated the expression of Oct-4, Sox2, Rex-1, Nanog, Cripto, Thy-1, and Lefty-A. Furthermore, they were found to be negative for classical differentiation markers such as neurofilament heavy chain (ectoderm), renin (mesoderm), and amylase (endoderm). All three cell lines displayed high levels of telomerase activity, and were shown to successfully overcome cryopreservation and thawing. Finally, these three new hESC lines have demonstrated the potential to differentiate in vitro and in vivo (teratoma formation) into cell types originating from all three germ layers.