Generation of functional oocytes from male mice in vitro.

Sex chromosome disorders severely compromise gametogenesis in both males and females. In oogenesis, the presence of an additional Y chromosome or the loss of an X chromosome disturbs the robust production of oocytes1-5. Here we efficiently converted the XY chromosome set to XX without an additional Y chromosome in mouse pluripotent stem (PS) cells. In addition, this chromosomal alteration successfully eradicated trisomy 16, a model of Down's syndrome, in PS cells. Artificially produced euploid XX PS cells differentiated into mature oocytes in culture with similar efficiency to native XX PS cells. Using this method, we differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells from the tail of a sexually mature male mouse into fully potent oocytes, which gave rise to offspring after fertilization. This study provides insights that could ameliorate infertility caused by sex chromosome or autosomal disorders, and opens the possibility of bipaternal reproduction.

Advancing stem cell technologies for conservation of wildlife biodiversity.

Wildlife biodiversity is essential for healthy, resilient and sustainable ecosystems. For biologists, this diversity also represents a treasure trove of genetic, molecular and developmental mechanisms that deepen our understanding of the origins and rules of life. However, the rapid decline in biodiversity reported recently foreshadows a potentially catastrophic collapse of many important ecosystems and the associated irreversible loss of many forms of life on our planet. Immediate action by conservationists of all stripes is required to avert this disaster. In this Spotlight, we draw together insights and proposals discussed at a recent workshop hosted by Revive & Restore, which gathered experts to discuss how stem cell technologies can support traditional conservation techniques and help protect animal biodiversity. We discuss reprogramming, in vitro gametogenesis, disease modelling and embryo modelling, and we highlight the prospects for leveraging stem cell technologies beyond mammalian species.

Reconstitution of the oocyte transcriptional network with transcription factors.

During female germline development, oocytes become a highly specialized cell type and form a maternal cytoplasmic store of crucial factors. Oocyte growth is triggered at the transition from primordial to primary follicle and is accompanied by dynamic changes in gene expression1, but the gene regulatory network that controls oocyte growth remains unknown. Here we identify a set of transcription factors that are sufficient to trigger oocyte growth. By investigation of the changes in gene expression and functional screening using an in vitro mouse oocyte development system, we identified eight transcription factors, each of which was essential for the transition from primordial to primary follicle. Notably, enforced expression of these transcription factors swiftly converted pluripotent stem cells into oocyte-like cells that were competent for fertilization and subsequent cleavage. These transcription-factor-induced oocyte-like cells were formed without specification of primordial germ cells, epigenetic reprogramming or meiosis, and demonstrate that oocyte growth and lineage-specific de novo DNA methylation are separable from the preceding epigenetic reprogramming in primordial germ cells. This study identifies a core set of transcription factors for orchestrating oocyte growth, and provides an alternative source of ooplasm, which is a unique material for reproductive biology and medicine.

Controlled X-chromosome dynamics defines meiotic potential of female mouse in vitro germ cells.

The mammalian germline is characterized by extensive epigenetic reprogramming during its development into functional eggs and sperm. Specifically, the epigenome requires resetting before parental marks can be established and transmitted to the next generation. In the female germline, X-chromosome inactivation and reactivation are among the most prominent epigenetic reprogramming events, yet very little is known about their kinetics and biological function. Here, we investigate X-inactivation and reactivation dynamics using a tailor-made in vitro system of primordial germ cell-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells. We find that X-inactivation in PGCLCs in vitro and in germ cell-competent epiblast cells in vivo is moderate compared to somatic cells, and frequently characterized by escaping genes. X-inactivation is followed by step-wise X-reactivation, which is mostly completed during meiotic prophase I. Furthermore, we find that PGCLCs which fail to undergo X-inactivation or reactivate too rapidly display impaired meiotic potential. Thus, our data reveal fine-tuned X-chromosome remodelling as a critical feature of female germ cell development towards meiosis and oogenesis.

Reconstitution of the mouse germ cell specification pathway in culture by pluripotent stem cells.

The generation of properly functioning gametes in vitro requires reconstitution of the multistepped pathway of germ cell development. We demonstrate here the generation of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) in mice with robust capacity for spermatogenesis. PGCLCs were generated from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs), a cellular state highly similar to pregastrulating epiblasts but distinct from epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs). Reflecting epiblast development, EpiLC induction from ESCs/iPSCs is a progressive process, and EpiLCs highly competent for the PGC fate are a transient entity. The global transcription profiles, epigenetic reprogramming, and cellular dynamics during PGCLC induction from EpiLCs meticulously capture those associated with PGC specification from the epiblasts. Furthermore, we identify Integrin-ß3 and SSEA1 as markers that allow the isolation of PGCLCs with spermatogenic capacity from tumorigenic undifferentiated cells. Our findings provide a paradigm for the first step of in vitro gametogenesis.

Dual role of Ovol2 on the germ cell lineage segregation during gastrulation in mouse embryogenesis.

In mammals, primordial germ cells (PGCs), the origin of the germ line, are specified from the epiblast at the posterior region where gastrulation simultaneously occurs, yet the functional relationship between PGC specification and gastrulation remains unclear. Here, we show that OVOL2, a transcription factor conserved across the animal kingdom, balances these major developmental processes by repressing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that drives gastrulation and the upregulation of genes associated with PGC specification. Ovol2a, a splice variant encoding a repressor domain, directly regulates EMT-related genes and, consequently, induces re-acquisition of potential pluripotency during PGC specification, whereas Ovol2b, another splice variant missing the repressor domain, directly upregulates genes associated with PGC specification. Taken together, these results elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying allocation of the germ line among epiblast cells differentiating into somatic cells through gastrulation. This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.

Uniform Suspension of Heat-Killed Staphylococcus aureus for a Positive Control Used in the Monocyte-Activation Test.

Pyrogens, classified as bacterial endotoxins and non-endotoxin pyrogens (NEPs), induce fever or shock when released into the bloodstream or spinal fluid. Recently, a monocyte-activation test (MAT) involving human cell culture has been developed to detect pyrogens in injectable products. To evaluate the sensitivity of MAT, a reference standard endotoxin was used as a positive control; however, the reactivity differed between the endotoxins and NEPs, necessitating positive controls for NEPs. This study aimed to explore a preparation method for heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus (HKSA) as a positive control for NEPs in MAT. Because S. aureus forms grape-like clusters, nine types of glass filters with pore sizes of 0.5-2.7 µm were evaluated to obtain a uniform bacterial suspension. The suspension was then heat-treated to kill the bacteria, resulting in HKSA samples. Serial dilutions of HKSA were tested by MAT using peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The interleukin-6 concentrations in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay to assess pyrogenic activities of HKSA. The pore sizes of the glass filters affected the uniformity of HKSA, and GF/C filter was selected for HKSA preparation. Repeated filtration improved uniformity, and a uniform suspension of HKSA was obtained through double filtration using a GF/C filter. Despite the decrease in HKSA activity as filtration frequency increased, the detection limit remained consistently unchanged. This suggests that repeated filtration can adjust the activity of HKSA to a baseline level and that a uniform suspension of HKSA exhibiting low variation is suitable as a positive control in MAT.

Efficient derivation of embryonic stem cells and primordial germ cell-like cells in cattle.

The induction of the germ cell lineage from pluripotent stem cells (in vitro gametogenesis) will help understand the mechanisms underlying germ cell differentiation and provide an alternative source of gametes for reproduction. This technology is especially important for cattle, which are among the most important livestock species for milk and meat production. Here, we developed a new method for robust induction of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from newly established bovine embryonic stem (bES) cells. First, we refined the pluripotent culture conditions for pre-implantation embryos and ES cells. Inhibition of RHO increased the number of epiblast cells in the pre-implantation embryos and dramatically improved the efficiency of ES cell establishment. We then determined suitable culture conditions for PGCLC differentiation using bES cells harboring BLIMP1-tdTomato and TFAP2C-mNeonGreen (BTTN) reporter constructs. After a 24-h culture with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), followed by three-dimensional culture with BMP4 and a chemical agonist and WNT signaling chemical antagonist, bES cells became positive for the reporters. A set of primordial germ cells (PGC) marker genes, including PRDM1/BLIMP1, TFAP2C, SOX17, and NANOS3, were expressed in BTTN-positive cells. These bovine PGCLCs (bPGCLCs) were isolated as KIT/CD117-positive and CD44-negative cell populations. We anticipate that this method for the efficient establishment of bES cells and induction of PGCLCs will be useful for stem cell-based reproductive technologies in cattle.

Exploratory Study of Growth of Circumference of Mandibular Fossa Adjacent to Petrous Portion of Temporal Bone Using Dried Skulls.

The morphogenetic process of development of the circumference of the mandibular fossa during tooth eruption, which involves the replacement of deciduous teeth with permanent teeth, is strongly affected by occlusion. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated the effect of occlusion on this process. This study investigated the morphogenetic process of development during tooth eruption using dried skulls harvested from Indian donors. The average distance between the ala-major-squamosa suture and the foramen ovale according to age group was as follows: 3.24 mm in the 8-month-old group and 8.92 mm in the adult group. The average distance between the ala-major-squamosa suture and the apex of the articular tubercle according to age groups was as follows: 10.38 mm in the 8-month-old group and 19.34 mm in the adult group. The average distance between the point of intersection of the petrosquamous fissure and petrotympanic fissure located on the perpendicular line drawn posteriorly from the shortest distance of the medio-lateral axis between the ala-major-squamosa suture and the apex of the articular tubercle according to age group was as follows: 9.68 mm in the 8-month-old group and 14.3 mm in the adult group. These results suggest that the mandibular fossa is strongly affected by load due to occlusion, unlike the growth of the neurocranium. This indicates that the effect of occlusion is a secondary element in the morphogenetic process of development of the circumference of the mandibular fossa.

In vitro fertilization program in white rhinoceros.

In brief: To save endangered rhinoceros species, assisted reproductive technologies are warranted. We here report in vitro blastocyst generation of the Near-Threatened Southern white rhinoceros and, for the first time, also of the technically Extinct Northern white rhinoceros. Abstract: The Anthropocene is marked by a dramatic biodiversity decline, particularly affecting the family Rhinocerotidae. Three of five extant species are listed as Critically Endangered (Sumatran, Javan, black rhinoceros), one as Vulnerable (Indian rhinoceros), and only one white rhino (WR) subspecies, the Southern white rhinoceros (SWR), after more than a century of successful protection is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, while numbers again are declining. Conversely, in 2008, the SWR's northern counterpart and second WR subspecies, the Northern white rhinoceros (NWR), was declared extinct in the wild. Safeguarding these vanishing keystone species urgently requires new reproductive strategies. We here assess one such strategy, the novel in vitro fertilization program in SWR and - for the first-time NWR - regarding health effects, donor-related, and procedural factors. Over the past 8 years, we performed 65 procedures in 22 white rhinoceros females (20 SWR and 2 NWR) comprising hormonal ovarian stimulation, ovum pick-up (OPU), in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo culture, and blastocyst cryopreservation, at an efficiency of 1.0 ± 1.3 blastocysts per OPU, generating 22 NWR, 19 SWR and 10 SWR/NWR hybrid blastocysts for the future generation of live offspring.

Germ cell-intrinsic effects of sex chromosomes on early oocyte differentiation in mice.

A set of sex chromosomes is required for gametogenesis in both males and females, as represented by sex chromosome disorders causing agametic phenotypes. Although studies using model animals have investigated the functional requirement of sex chromosomes, involvement of these chromosomes in gametogenesis remains elusive. Here, we elicit a germ cell-intrinsic effect of sex chromosomes on oogenesis, using a novel culture system in which oocytes were induced from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) harboring XX, XO or XY. In the culture system, oogenesis using XO and XY ESCs was severely disturbed, with XY ESCs being more strongly affected. The culture system revealed multiple defects in the oogenesis of XO and XY ESCs, such as delayed meiotic entry and progression, and mispairing of the homologous chromosomes. Interestingly, Eif2s3y, a Y-linked gene that promotes proliferation of spermatogonia, had an inhibitory effect on oogenesis. This led us to the concept that male and female gametogenesis appear to be in mutual conflict at an early stage. This study provides a deeper understanding of oogenesis under a sex-reversal condition.

Chronological Changes in the Expression and Localization of Sox9 between Achilles Tendon Injury and Functional Recovery in Mice.

Tendons help transmit forces from the skeletal muscles and bones. However, tendons have inferior regenerative ability compared to muscles. Despite studies on the regeneration of muscles and bone tissue, only a few have focused on tendinous tissue regeneration, especially tendon regeneration. Sex-determining region Y-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) is an SRY-related transcription factor with a DNA-binding domain and is an important control factor for cartilage formation. Sox9 is critical to the early-to-middle stages of tendon development. However, how Sox9 participates in the healing process after tendon injury is unclear. We hypothesized that Sox9 is expressed in damaged tendons and is crucially involved in restoring tendon functions. We constructed a mouse model of an Achilles tendon injury by performing a 0.3 mm wide partial excision in the Achilles tendon of mice, and chronologically evaluated the function restoration and localization of the Sox9 expressed in the damaged sites. The results reveal that Sox9 was expressed simultaneously with the formation of the pre-structure of the epitenon, an essential part of the tendinous tissue, indicating that its expression is linked to the functional restoration of tendons. Lineage tracing for Sox9 expressed during tendon restoration revealed the tendon restoration involvement of cells that switched into Sox9-expressing cells after tendon injury. The stem cells involved in tendon regeneration may begin to express Sox9 after injury.

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption and Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Analysis for the Direct Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharyngeal Swabs.

The most common diagnostic method used for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, it requires complex and labor-intensive procedures and involves excessive positive results derived from viral debris. We developed a method for the direct detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nasopharyngeal swabs, which uses matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) to identify specific peptides from the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (NP). SARS-CoV-2 viral particles were separated from biological molecules in nasopharyngeal swabs by an ultrafiltration cartridge. Further purification was performed by an anion exchange resin, and purified NP was digested into peptides using trypsin. The peptides from SARS-CoV-2 that were inoculated into nasopharyngeal swabs were detected by MALDI-ToF MS, and the limit of detection was 106.7 viral copies. This value equates to 107.9 viral copies per swab and is approximately equivalent to the viral load of contagious patients. Seven NP-derived peptides were selected as the target molecules for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical specimens. The method detected between two and seven NP-derived peptides in 19 nasopharyngeal swab specimens from contagious COVID-19 patients. These peptides were not detected in four specimens in which SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected by PCR. Mutated NP-derived peptides were found in some specimens, and their patterns of amino acid replacement were estimated by accurate mass. Our results provide evidence that the developed MALDI-ToF MS-based method in a combination of straightforward purification steps and a rapid detection step directly detect SARS-CoV-2-specific peptides in nasopharyngeal swabs and can be a reliable high-throughput diagnostic method for COVID-19.

In-vitro maturation and transplantation of cryopreserved ovary tissue: understanding ovarian longevity.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is it possible to use experience gained from 24 years of frozen ovarian transplantation, and from recent experience with in-vitro gametogenesis to accomplish simple and robust in-vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes from human ovarian tissue? DESIGN: A total of 119 female patients between age 2 and 35 years old underwent ovary cryopreservation (as well as in-vitro maturation of oocytes and IVM in the last 13 individuals) over a 24-year period. Up to 22 years later, 17 returned to have their ovary tissue thawed and transplanted back. RESULTS: Every woman had a return of ovarian function 5 months after transplant, similar to previous observations. As observed before, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration rose as FSH fell 4 months later. The grafts continued to work up to 8 years. Of the 17, 13 (76%) became pregnant with intercourse at least once, resulting in 19 healthy live births, including six live births from three women who had had leukaemia. Of the harvested germinal vesicle oocytes, 35% developed with simple culture media into mature metaphase II oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded the following. First, ovary tissue cryopreservation is a robust method for preserving fertility even for women with leukaemia, without a need to delay cancer treatment. Second, many mature oocytes can often be obtained from ovary tissue with simple media and no need for ovarian stimulation. Third, ovarian stimulation only be necessary for removing the oocyte from the ovary, which can also be accomplished by simple dissection at the time of ovary freezing. Finally, pressure and just eight 'core genes' control primordial follicle recruitment and development.

Reconstitution in vitro of the entire cycle of the mouse female germ line.

The female germ line undergoes a unique sequence of differentiation processes that confers totipotency to the egg. The reconstitution of these events in vitro using pluripotent stem cells is a key achievement in reproductive biology and regenerative medicine. Here we report successful reconstitution in vitro of the entire process of oogenesis from mouse pluripotent stem cells. Fully potent mature oocytes were generated in culture from embryonic stem cells and from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from both embryonic fibroblasts and adult tail tip fibroblasts. Moreover, pluripotent stem cell lines were re-derived from the eggs that were generated in vitro, thereby reconstituting the full female germline cycle in a dish. This culture system will provide a platform for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying totipotency and the production of oocytes of other mammalian species in culture.

Hypoxia induces the dormant state in oocytes through expression of Foxo3.

In mammals, most immature oocytes remain dormant in the primordial follicles to ensure the longevity of female reproductive life. A precise understanding of mechanisms underlying the dormancy is important for reproductive biology and medicine. In this study, by comparing mouse oogenesis in vivo and in vitro, the latter of which bypasses the primordial follicle stage, we defined the gene-expression profile representing the dormant state of oocytes. Overexpression of constitutively active FOXO3 partially reproduced the dormant state in vitro. Based on further gene-expression analysis, we found that a hypoxic condition efficiently induced the dormant state in vitro. The effect of hypoxia was severely diminished by disruption of the Foxo3 gene and inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factors. Our findings provide insights into the importance of environmental conditions and their effectors for establishing the dormant state.

Development and Regeneration of Muscle, Tendon, and Myotendinous Junctions in Striated Skeletal Muscle.

Owing to a rapid increase in aging population in recent years, the deterioration of motor function in older adults has become an important social problem, and several studies have aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying muscle function decline. Furthermore, structural maintenance of the muscle-tendon-bone complexes in the muscle attachment sites is important for motor function, particularly for joints; however, the development and regeneration of these complexes have not been studied thoroughly and require further elucidation. Recent studies have provided insights into the roles of mesenchymal progenitors in the development and regeneration of muscles and myotendinous junctions. In particular, studies on muscles and myotendinous junctions have-through the use of the recently developed scRNA-seq-reported the presence of syncytia, thereby suggesting that fibroblasts may be transformed into myoblasts in a BMP-dependent manner. In addition, the high mobility group box 1-a DNA-binding protein found in nuclei-is reportedly involved in muscle regeneration. Furthermore, studies have identified several factors required for the formation of locomotor apparatuses, e.g., tenomodulin (Tnmd) and mohawk (Mkx), which are essential for tendon maturation.

Bone morphogenetic protein and retinoic acid synergistically specify female germ-cell fate in mice.

The mechanism for sex determination in mammalian germ cells remains unclear. Here, we reconstitute the female sex determination in mouse germ cells in vitro under a defined condition without the use of gonadal somatic cells. We show that retinoic acid (RA) and its key effector, STRA8, are not sufficient to induce the female germ-cell fate. In contrast, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and RA synergistically induce primordial germ cells (PGCs)/PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into fetal primary oocytes. The induction is characterized by entry into the meiotic prophase, occurs synchronously and recapitulates cytological and transcriptome progression in vivo faithfully. Importantly, the female germ-cell induction necessitates a proper cellular competence-most typically, DNA demethylation of relevant genes-which is observed in appropriately propagated PGCs/PGCLCs, but not in PGCs/PGCLCs immediately after induction. This provides an explanation for the differential function of BMP signaling between PGC specification and female germ-cell induction. Our findings represent a framework for a comprehensive delineation of the sex-determination pathway in mammalian germ cells, including humans.

Amine skeleton-based c-di-GMP derivatives as biofilm formation inhibitors.

Bacteria can form a biofilm composed of diverse bacterial microorganism, which work as a barrier to protect from threats, such as antibiotics and host immunity system. The formation of biofilms significantly impairs the efficacy of antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria. It is also a serious problem to be solved that the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA) accelerated by the overuse of antibiotics. Therefore, the usage of biofilm inhibition agents has attracted immense interest as a novel strategy for treatment of diseases related to bacterial infection. From the difference of mode of action against bacterial cells, biofilm inhibition agents are expected to circumvent the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this study, we have developed the derivatives of c-di-GMP, a kind of cyclic dinucleotide that is expected to have the effect of inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation. Some of the synthesized derivatives were found to inhibit biofilm formation of Gram-positive bacteria.

Tsix RNA and the germline factor, PRDM14, link X reactivation and stem cell reprogramming.

Transitions between pluripotent and differentiated states are marked by dramatic epigenetic changes. Cellular differentiation is tightly linked to X chromosome inactivation (XCI), whereas reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is associated with X chromosome reactivation (XCR). XCR reverses the silent state of the inactive X, occurring in mouse blastocysts and germ cells. In spite of its importance, little is known about underlying mechanisms. Here, we examine the role of the long noncoding Tsix RNA and the germline factor, PRDM14. In blastocysts, XCR is perturbed by mutation of either Tsix or Prdm14. In iPSCs, XCR is disrupted only by PRDM14 deficiency, which also affects iPSC derivation and maintenance. We show that Tsix and PRDM14 directly link XCR to pluripotency: first, PRDM14 represses Rnf12 by recruiting polycomb repressive complex 2; second, Tsix enables PRDM14 to bind Xist. Thus, our study provides functional and mechanistic links between cellular and X chromosome reprogramming.