Isolation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells from reprogrammed adult mouse somatic cell nuclei.

Pluripotent human stem cells isolated from early embryos represent a potentially unlimited source of many different cell types for cell-based gene and tissue therapies [1-3]. Nevertheless, if the full potential of cell lines derived from donor embryos is to be realised, the problem of donor-recipient tissue matching needs to be overcome. One approach, which avoids the problem of transplant rejection, would be to establish stem cell lines from the patient's own cells through therapeutic cloning [3,4]. Recent studies have shown that it is possible to transfer the nucleus from an adult somatic cell to an unfertilised oocyte that is devoid of maternal chromosomes, and achieve embryonic development under the control of the transferred nucleus [5-7]. Stem cells isolated from such a cloned embryo would be genetically identical to the patient and pose no risk of immune rejection. Here, we report the isolation of pluripotent murine stem cells from reprogrammed adult somatic cell nuclei. Embryos were generated by direct injection of mechanically isolated cumulus cell nuclei into mature oocytes. Embryonic stem (ES) cells isolated from cumulus-cell-derived blastocysts displayed the characteristic morphology and marker expression of conventional ES cells and underwent extensive differentiation into all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm) in tumours and in chimaeric foetuses and pups. The ES cells were also shown to differentiate readily into neurons and muscle in culture. This study shows that pluripotent stem cells can be derived from nuclei of terminally differentiated adult somatic cells and offers a model system for the development of therapies that rely on autologous, human pluripotent stem cells.

Metallothionein null cells have increased sensitivity to anticancer drugs.

Overexpression of metallothioneins (MTs) protects some cells against heavy metals, mutagens, anticancer agents, and reactive oxygen species. We have examined the effect of the loss of MT expression on the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents and mutagens using embryonic fibroblast cells from transgenic mice with targeted disruptions of MT I and II genes (MT -/-). MT -/- cells expressed no detectable MT. Compared to wild type cells, MT -/- cells showed enhanced sensitivity to a 2-h exposure to cisplatin, melphalan, bleomycin, cytarabine, or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine but were equally sensitive to doxorubicin and neocarzinostatin. Basal expression of the DNA damage-response genes, gadd 45 and gadd 153, were elevated in MT -/- cells compared to MT +/+ cells. Anticancer drug treatment, however, did not produce a greater increase in gadd 45 or gadd 153 expression in MT null cells compared to MT +/+ cells. These results support the hypothesis that endogenous MT levels affect the sensitivity of mammalian cells to mutagens and clinically important anticancer drugs.

Analysis of the possible protective role of metallothionein in streptozotocin-induced diabetes using metallothionein-null mice.

In order to clarify a possible protective role of metallothionein (MT) in the development of streptozotocin (STZ)-caused insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and its mechanisms, we studied whether MT is effective for protection against STZ-caused IDDM by utilizing MT-null (isoforms MT-I and II) transgenic mice. It was found that Zn pretreatment (I mg/kg body weight as ZnSO4) has a unique inhibitory effect on IDDM development in MT-null mice in contrast to no marked effect in control (C57BL/6J) mice, suggesting that Zn ions free from MT molecules exerted this protective effect. The highest Zn dose (10 mg/kg body weight) fully suppressed development of hyperglycaemia in both types of mice. Pretreatment with Zn partially led to recovery of superoxide dismutase activities in the liver and pancreas in which STZ administration suppressed superoxide dismutase activity in both types of mice. The present study suggests that Zn plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IDDM, although a possible involvement of MT in the protection of STZ-caused IDDM cannot be completely negated.

Susceptibility of metallothionein-null mice to paraquat.

Using transgenic mice in which metallothionein (MT)-I and MT-II genes, we have studied a putative role of MT as a free radical scavenger against paraquat, a free radical generator. Male mice were injected s.c. with paraquat (PQ) at a single dose of 40 or 60 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). Two of the six MT-null mice died within 16 h at the dose of 60 mg PQ/kg. b. w. PQ administration increased hepatic MT concentration in the normal mice (C57BL/6J), but not in the MT-null mice. The lipid peroxidation (LP) determined by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation was increased by PQ in the liver of normal and MT-null mice, and the enhanced level was greater in the MT-null mice than in the C57BL/6J mice. Administration of PQ significantly increased blood urea nitrogen only in the MT-null mice, indicating renal damage. Without paraquat administration, the hepatic concentration of non-protein sulphydryl compounds was less in the MT-null mice than in the C57BL/6J mice, and the basal level of LP was higher in the MT-null mice than in the C57BL/6J mice. The present results support the notion that MT plays an antioxidative role against paraquat insult under physiological conditions.

Targeting and germ-line transmission of a null mutation at the metallothionein I and II loci in mouse.

We report the generation of transgenic mice deficient in the metallothionein MT-I and MT-II genes. The mutations were introduced into embryonic stem cells by homologous recombination. Chimeric mice resulting from the targeted embryonic stem cells transmitted the disrupted alleles through their germ line. Homozygous animals were born alive and appeared phenotypically normal and fertile. Absence of MT proteins was confirmed by direct measurement in liver extracts. Challenging the mutant animals with moderate levels of CdSO4 indicated their greater susceptibility to cadmium toxicity than wild-type animals. These mice should provide a useful model to allow detailed study of the physiological roles of MT-I and MT-II.

Metallothionein-I and -II knock-out mice are sensitive to cadmium-induced liver mRNA expression of c-jun and p53.

Zinc pretreatment has been shown in vitro (rat myoblasts) to induce metallothionein (MT) and inhibit cadmium (Cd)-induced protooncogenes c-myc and c-jun mRNA levels. therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the mRNA expression of the protooncogene c-jun as well as the tumor suppressor gene p53 is increased by Cd in the intact animal and, more specifically, in the target organ for Cd toxicity, the liver. Additionally, modulation of the expression of these genes was investigated in the absence of MT. The effect of CdCl2 on the mRNA levels of c-jun and p53 was studied in livers of C57BL/6J (control) and MT-null mice by Northern- and slot-blot analyses. The mRNA for c-jun and p53 were increased by Cd in a dose-dependent fashion. In the control mice, Cd induced c-jun mRNA (5-fold) at 3 and 12 hr and p53 mRNA (1.8- to 2-fold) at 6 and 12 hr. Compared to controls, the MT-null mice were more sensitive to the Cd-induced gene expression. The magnitude of the inductions was more pronounced and the elevated mRNA levels of c-jun and p53 were seen at lower doses of Cd (10mumol/kg in MT-null mice vs 40 mmol/kg in control mice). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Cd induces mRNA expression of the protooncogene c-jun and tumor suppressor gene p53 in liver, and that MT modulates this effect.

Distribution and retention of cadmium in metallothionein I and II null mice.

Cadmium (Cd) is known to have a long biological half-life in the body, possibly due to its binding to metallothionein (MT). This study was designed to determine the role of MT in the tissue distribution and retention of Cd using MT-I and -II null (MT-null) mice. Mice were given 109CdCl(2) (15 mumol/kg, 25 microCi/kg, i.p.), and radioactivity was quantified in 14 major organs at 2 hr, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 15 days thereafter. The lack of MT in MT-null mice 2 hr after Cd administration (74% vs 72% of the dose, respectively). However, the elimination of Cd was much faster in MT-null mice than in control mice. In control mice, approximately 40% of Cd administered was found in liver 24 hr after administration, and the majority was bound to MT. In contrast, only 20% of Cd was found in liver of MT-null mice, which was not bound to MT. Cd concentrations in kidney, pancreas, and spleen were also lower in MT-null than in control mice 1 week after administration. No apparent difference in Cd retention in other organs was noted between control and MT-null mice over the 15-day period. Cd concentration in kidney continued to increase with time in control but not in MT-null mice, indicating that an important source of Cd in the kidney is the uptake of CdMT. In conclusion, the present data indicate that MT does not play a role in the initial distribution of Cd to tissues, but does play a major role in the elimination of Cd, especially from liver, kidney, and pancreas. These data support the conclusion that the persistence of Cd in the body is at least partially due to Cd binding to MT in tissues.

Metallothionein plays less of a protective role in cadmium-metallothionein-induced nephrotoxicity than in cadmium chloride-induced hepatotoxicity.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular weight, cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins. Pretreatment of animals with Zn increases tissue MT concentrations, and protects against Cd-induced toxicity. However, Zn treatment produces many effects in addition to increasing MT. Therefore, MT-I and -II knock-out (MT-null) mice were used to determine the roles of MT in Cd-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, as well as in Zn-induced protection. MT-null mice were more sensitive to CdCl2 (25 mumol/kg i.p.) hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by 25-fold increases in serum alanine aminotransferase activity, compared to 12-fold increases in control mice. Zn pretreatment (200 mumol/kg s.c. x 2 days) increased hepatic MT 80 fold in control mice but not in MT-null mice, and prevented CdCl2 hepatotoxicity in control mice only. It is concluded that MT plays a critical role in Cd-induced hepatotoxicity. In contrast to CdCl2-induced hepatotoxicity, MT-null mice were equally susceptible as controls to the Cd-MT (CdMT) (0.1-0.4 mg Cd/kg i.v.) nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by similar increases in urinary protein (up to 30-fold) and glucose excretion (up to 60-fold), as well as similar extent of proximal tubular necrosis. Zn increased renal MT (28-fold) in control mice only; however, it protected against CdMT-induced renal injury in both control and MT-null mice. These findings suggest that MT plays less of a protective role in protecting against CdMT-induced nephrotoxicity than CdCl2-induced hepatotoxicity, and that Zn-induced protection against CdMT-induced nephrotoxicity does not appear to be mediated through MT.

Lack of metallothionein-I and -II exacerbates the immunosuppressive effect of ultraviolet B radiation and cis-urocanic acid in mice.

The effect of a null mutation for the metallothionein (MT)-I and -II isoforms in mice on the immunosuppressive action of ultraviolet B (UVB; 280-320 nm) radiation has been examined. Mice were exposed to a series of increasing daily UVB doses, each dose administered to the dorsum on 3 consecutive days. Erythema was assessed, and measured as its oedema component by the post-irradiation dorsal skinfold thickness, but there was no effect of the null mutation (MT-/-) observed after 3 x 3.4 kJ/m2 of UVB radiation. Immune function was assessed by the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response, which was initiated by sensitization on unirradiated abdominal skin, and thus demonstrated the systemic effects of dorsal treatments. In comparison with the wild-type MT+/+ mouse, the MT-/- mouse was significantly more immunosuppressed by moderate daily UVB doses (1. 75-5.9 kJ/m2). When topically applied cis-urocanic acid (cis-UCA) replaced UVB radiation as the immunosuppressive agent, contact hypersensitivity in MT-/- mice was again markedly more suppressed than in MT+/+ mice, in a dose-responsive manner. The results infer that MT, which was shown immunohistochemically to be strongly induced in the epidermis of MT+/+ mice, but to be absent in MT-/- epidermis, has the potential to protect from photoimmunosuppression, and that the mechanism of action may be via the inactivation of the epidermal UVB-photoproduct, cis-UCA.

Enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress in cultured embryonic cells from transgenic mice deficient in metallothionein I and II genes.

Embryonic cells from transgenic mice with targeted disruption of metallothionein I and II genes expressed no detectable metallothionein either constitutively or after treatment with cadmium, in contrast to cultured cells that were wild type or heterozygous for the loss of the metallothionein genes. Metallothionein null cells were most sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of cadmium, the membrane permeant oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide, and the redox cycling toxin paraquat. No marked differences were seen among the wild type, heterozygous, or metallothionein null cells in glutathione levels or in the activity of CuZn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, or catalase. Nevertheless, metallothionein null cells were more sensitive to tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidation as ascertained by confocal microscopic imaging of dichlorofluoroscein fluorescence. These results indicate basal metallothionein levels can function to regulate intracellular redox status in mammalian cells.

Introduction of a porcine growth hormone fusion gene into transgenic pigs promotes growth.

Six transgenic pigs have been produced by microinjecting a human metallothionein promoter/porcine growth hormone gene construct into the pronuclei of fertilized eggs which were transferred to synchronized recipient sows. The resulting transgenic animals contained between 0.5 and 15 copies of the gene construct per cell, and at least one of the animals expressed the introduced gene and grew at an increased rate compared to both transgenic and non-transgenic littermates. Some of the transgenic animals that did not appear to grow at increased rates were found to contain rearranged gene sequences. Two of the transgenic pigs have been shown to pass on the introduced genes to their offspring.

Obesity and hyperleptinemia in metallothionein (-I and -II) null mice.

Metallothionein (MT) has several putative roles in metal detoxification, in Zn and Cu homeostasis, in scavenging free radicals, and in the acute phase response. Mice of mixed 129/Ola and C57BL/6J background with targeted disruption of MT-I and MT-II genes are more sensitive to toxic metals and oxidative stress. We noted that these animals were larger than most strains of mice, and we systematically studied aspects of their physiology and biochemistry relating to energy metabolism. During the first 2 weeks after weaning, the growth rates of MT-null and C57BL/6J mice were similar, but the transgenic mice became significantly heavier at age 5-6 weeks. At age 14 weeks, the body weight and food intake of MT-null mice was 16 and 30% higher, respectively, compared with C57BL/6J mice. Most 22- to 39-week-old male MT-null mice were obese, as shown by increased fat accretion, elevated obese (ob) gene expression, and high plasma leptin levels, similar to those recorded in Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats. Seven-week-old MT-null mice also had significantly higher levels of plasma leptin and elevated expression of ob, lipoprotein lipase, and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha genes as compared with age-matched C57BL/6J mice. These observations indicate that abnormal accretion of body fat and adipocyte maturation is initiated at 5-7 weeks of age, possibly coincident with sexual maturation. Targeted disruption of MT-I and MT-II genes seems to induce moderate obesity, providing a new obese animal model. A link between MT and the regulation of energy balance is implied.