We performed the GeneChip analysis to identify multiple extracellular determinants such as cytokines, cell membrane-bound molecules, and matrix responsible for cardiomyogenic differentiation, and evaluated the statistical significance of differential gene expression by the NIA array analysis (http://lgsun.grc.nia.nih.gov/ANOVA/) (Bioinformatics 21: 2548), a web-based tool for microarrays data analysis.
Gremlin enhances the determined path to cardiomyogenesis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe placenta is considered one of the candidate cell sources in cellular therapeutics because of a large number of cells and heterogenous cell population with myogenic potentials. We first analyzed myogenic potential of cells obtained from six parts of the placenta, i.e., umbilical cord, amniotic epithelium, amniotic mesoderm, chorionic plate, villous chorion (chorion frondosum), , and decidua basalis. Implantation of placenta-derived cells into dystrophic muscles of immunodeficient mdx mice restored sarcolemmal expression of human dystrophin. Co-existence of human and murine nuclei in one myotube and presence of human dystrophin in murine myotube suggests that human dystrophin expression is due to cell fusion between host murine myocytes and implanted human cells. In vitro analysis revealed that cells derived from amniotic mesoderm, chorionic plate, ,and villous chorion efficiently transdifferentiate into myotubes. These cells fused to C2C12 murine myoblasts by in vitro co-culturing, and murine myoblasts start to express human dystrophin after fusion. These results demonstrate that placenta-derived cells, especially extraembryonic mesodermal cells, have a myogenic potential and regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle. Determination of cell specification with the gene chip analysis revealed that each placental cell has a distinct expression pattern.
No associated publication
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe sclera maintains and protects the eye ball, which receives visual inputs. The aim of this study is to identify characteristics of the human sclera as one of the connective tissues derived from the neural crest and mesoderm. We have here demonstrated microarray data of cultured human scleral cells.
Human sclera maintains common characteristics with cartilage throughout evolution.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesChondrocytes from extra fingers exhibited a high proliferative capacity: the cells reached to population doublings (PD) 30-35 within 4 weeks before replicative senescence. The propagated cells formed hyaline cartilage at 2 weeks after subcutaneous implantation of NOD/Scid/IL-2 receptor gamma knock out (NOG) mice, and the generated cartilage showed enchondral ossification at 8 to 12 weeks. The cartilage formation with osteogenesis depends on the number of cell division in vitro.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesPOU5F1 (more commonly known as Oct-4/3) is one of the stem cell markers and affects direction of differentiation in embryonic stem cells. To investigate whether cells of mesenchymal origin acquire embryonic phenotype, we generated a human cell line of mesodermal origin with overexpression of the chimeric POU5F1 gene with physiological co-activator EWS, which is driven by the potent EWS promoter by translocation. The cell line termed Pooh (POU5F1/Oct-4/3 overexpressing human) cells expressed embryonic stem cell genes such as Nanog and also non-translocated POU5F1, lost mesenchymal phenotypes, and exhibited embryonal stem cell-like alveolar structure when implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of immunodeficient mice. Hierarchical analysis by microchip analysis and cell surface analysis revealed that Pooh cells are subcategorized into the group of human embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma cells. These results imply that cells of mesenchymal origin can partially be traced back to cells to embryonic phenotype by the POU5F1 gene in collaboration with the potent cis-regulatory element and the fused co-activator.
Mesenchymal to embryonic incomplete transition of human cells by chimeric OCT4/3 (POU5F1) with physiological co-activator EWS.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe conversion of an epithelial cell to a mesenchymal cell is critical to vertebrate embryogenesis and a defining structural feature of organ development, such as forming fibroblasts in injured tissues, or in initiating metastases in epithelial cancer. From a general perspective, EMT is about disaggregating epithelial units and reshaping epithelia for movement. This phenotypic conversion requires the molecular reprogramming of epithelia with new biochemical instructions. It is known that commonly used molecular markers for EMT include increased expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, nuclear localization of beta-catenin, and increased production of the transcription factors such as Snail, Twist, and SIP1/ZEB2. Much of this conversion, however, has been studied during experiments that expose new transduction and signaling pathways in epithelia, and more recently in fibrogenic tissues. It is not yet clear whether the fibroblast transition of EMT is an expected middle phase of transdifferentiating epithelia, or whether EMT producing fibroblasts is an arrested form of transdifferentiation. EMT is easily engaged by a combination of cytokines associated with proteolytic digestion of basement membranes upon which epithelia reside. We analyzed PCA and hierarchical clustering method of the gene expression pattern of the renal tubular cells and mammary gland cells. We then identified the genes which discriminate between the renal tubular and the mammary gland epithelial cells (PC1), or EMT-induced and non-induced cells (PC3). Undergoing EMT identifies the genes that discriminate between the renal tubular and the mammary gland epithelial cells(PC1), or EMT-induced and non-induced cells (PC3).
No associated publication
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesGlobal gene expression of RNA samples from the human sclera
No associated publication
Age, Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesOne of strategies to regenerate cartilage defect is transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Improvements of therapeutic potential of MSCs are needed to achieve successful cartilage regeneration by transplantation of a limited number of cells. Aggregated culture is a popular method in ES and iPS cells to maintain or enhance their potentials. Here we investigated gene expression profile of aggregated MSCs. 621 genes were up-regulated and 409 genes were down-regulated more than 5-fold in MSC-aggregates compared with the number in MSCs in a monolayer culture. The most up-regulated gene was BMP2, which is one of the genes involved in chondrogenesis. Anti-inflammatory genes were also up-regulated in MSC-aggregates. The microarray data for selected genes were confirmed by real-time PCR.
Properties and usefulness of aggregates of synovial mesenchymal stem cells as a source for cartilage regeneration.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesHuman corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) form a monolayer by adhering tightly through their intercellular adhesion molecules. Located at the posterior corneal surface, they maintain corneal translucency by dehydrating the corneal stroma, mainly through the Na+- and K+-dependent ATPase (Na+/K+-ATPase). Because HCEC proliferative activity is low in vivo,we tried to activate proliferation of HCEC by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.We have here demonstrated microarray data of transduced human corneal endothelial cell lines.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesIn the chorionic villi of placenta, trophoblasts and endothelial cells are present, and moreover mesenchymal cells (stromal cells) can be obtained. We generated cells with the mesenchymal phenotype from the chorionic mesoderm, and showed that: a) physiologically functioning cardiomyocytes were transdifferentiated from human placenta-derived chorionic villi cells, but these cells did not induce to osteoblasts and adipocytes ; b) the cardiomyogenic induction rate obtained using our system was relatively high compared to that obtained using the previously described method ; c) co-cultivation with fetal murine cardiomyocytes alone without transdifferentiation factors such as 5-azaC or oxytocin is sufficient for cardiomyogenesis in our system; d) Chorionic villi cells have the electrophysiological properties of 'working' cardiomyocytes. The chorionic mesoderm contained a large number of cells with a cardiomyogenic potential.
'Working' cardiomyocytes exhibiting plateau action potentials from human placenta-derived extraembryonic mesodermal cells.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples