Morten Vejlsted

DNA methylation in porcine preimplantation embryos developed in vivo and produced by in vitro fertilization, parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer

DNA demethylation and remethylation are crucial for reprogramming of the differentiated parental/somatic genome in the recipient ooplasm upon somatic cell nuclear transfer. Here, we analyzed the DNA methylation dynamics during porcine preimplantation development. Porcine in vivo developed (IV), in vitro fertilized (IVF), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos were evaluated for DNA methylation quantification at different developmental stages. Fertilized (IV and IVF) one-cell stages lacked a substantial active demethylation of the paternal genome. Embryos produced under in vitro conditions had higher levels of DNA methylation than IV. A lineage-specific DNA methylation (hypermethylation of the inner cell mass and hypomethylation of the trophectoderm) was observed in porcine IV late blastocysts, but was absent in PA- and SCNT-derived blastocysts despite the occurrence of de novo methylation in early blastocysts. Comparable levels of DNA methylation were found in IV embryos and in 50% and 14% of SCNT early and late blastocysts, respectively. In conclusion, DNA methylation patterns were adversely affected by in vitro embryo production.

Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Bovine Epiblast

Abstract The epiblast represents the final embryonic founder cell population with the potential for giving rise to all cell types of the adult body. The pluripotency of the epiblast is lost during the process of gastrulation. Large animal species have a lack of specific markers for pluripotency. The aim of the present study was to characterize the bovine epiblast cell population and to provide such markers. Bovine Day 12 and Day 14 embryos were processed for transmission-electron microscopy or immunohistochemistry. In Day 12 embryos, two cell populations of the epiblast were identified: one constituting a distinctive basal layer apposing the hypoblast, and one arranged inside or above the former layer, including cells apposing the Rauber layer. Immunohistochemically, staining for the octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4, also known as POU5F1), revealed a specific and exclusive staining of nuclei of the complete epiblast. Colocalization of vimentin and OCT4 was demonstrated. Only trophectodermal cells stained for alkaline phosphatase. Staining for the proliferation marker Ki-67 was localized to most nuclei throughout the epiblast. A continuous staining for zonula occludens-1 protein was found between cells of the trophectoderm and hypoblast but was not evident in the epiblast. A basement membrane, detected by staining for laminin, formed a “cup-like” structure in which the epiblast was located. The ventrolateral sides of the cup appeared to be incomplete. In conclusion, the bovine epiblast includes at least two cell subpopulations, and OCT4 was shown, to our knowledge for the first time, to be localized exclusively to epiblast cells in this species.

Changes of DNA Methylation Level and Spatial Arrangement of Primordial Germ Cells in Embryonic Day 15 to Embryonic Day 28 Pig Embryos

The mammalian germline is generally assumed to undergo extensive epigenetic reprogramming during embryonic development, including a nearly complete erasure of DNA methylation. This assumption does, however, to large degree rely on data from mouse, and despite a well-grounded picture the general nature of these data needs to be validated by investigations of other mammalian species. This study represents such a contribution in the examination of the germline in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa). Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the level of DNA methylation in the POU5F1-positive primordial germ cells (PGCs) compared with neighboring somatic cells in porcine embryos at Embryonic Day 15 (E15), E17, E20, E21, and E28. We show that, in agreement with the mouse model, a significantly lower level of DNA methylation was observed in the early migrating PGCs. This level was decreasing until a stage coinciding with the entrance of the PGCs to the genital ridge. After this, the methylation level increased. Using whole-mount immunostaining, we determined the spatial arrangement of the porcine PGCs in the period between E15 and E28, allowing some comparison with the migration of the murine germline. The overall conclusion from the obtained data is that the DNA methylation changes in porcine PGCs, as well as the migration of these cells, parallels the picture reported for the mouse.

Early Aberrations in Chromatin Dynamics in Embryos Produced Under In Vitro Conditions

In vitro production of porcine embryos by means of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is limited by great inefficienciy. The present study investigated chromatin and nucleolar dynamics in porcine embryos developed in vivo (IV) and compared this physiological standard to that of embryos produced by IVF, parthenogenetic activation (PA), or SCNT. In contrast to IV embryos, chromatin spatial and temporal dynamics in PA, IVF, and SCNT embryos were altered; starting with aberrant chromatin-nuclear envelope interactions at the two-cell stage, delayed chromatin decondensation and nucleolar development at the four-cell stage, and ultimately culminating in failure of proper first lineage segregation at the blastocyst stage, demonstrated by poorly defined inner cell mass. Interestingly, in vitro produced (IVP) embryos also lacked a heterochromatin halo around nucleolar precursors, indicating imperfections in global chromatin remodeling after fertilization/activation. Porcine IV-produced zygotes and embryos display a well-synchronized pattern of chromatin dynamics compatible with genome activation and regular nucleolar formation at the four-cell stage. Production of porcine embryos under in vitro conditions by IVF, PA, or SCNT is associated with altered chromatin remodeling, delayed nucleolar formation, and poorly defined lineage segregation at the blastocyst stage, which in turn may impair their developmental capacity.

Reelin expression during embryonic development of the pig brain

BackgroundReelin is an extracellular glycoprotein of crucial importance in the developmental organisation of neurons in the mammalian cerebral cortex and other laminated brain regions. The pig possesses a gyrencephalic brain that bears resemblance to the human brain. In order to establish an animal model for neuronal migration disorders in the pig, we have studied the expression pattern and structure of Reelin during pig brain development.ResultsWe determined the sequence of pig Reelin mRNA and protein and identified a high degree of homology to human Reelin. A peak in Reelin mRNA and protein expression is present during the period of major neurogenesis and neuronal migration. This resembles observations for human brain development. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the highest expression of Reelin in the Cajal-Reztius cells of the marginal zone, in resemblance with observations for the developing brain in humans and other mammalian species.ConclusionsWe conclude that the pig might serve as an alternative animal model to study Reelin functions and that manipulation of the pig Reelin could allow the establishment of an animal model for human neuronal migration disorders.

Prolactin affects bovine oocytes through direct and cumulus-mediated pathways.

The available evidence points to participation of PRL in regulation of mammalian oocyte maturation. The aim of the present study was to characterize pathways of PRL action on bovine oocytes. We analyzed (1) the presence of the PRL receptor and its mRNA isoforms in oocytes and cumulus cells; (2) the effect of PRL on meiosis resumption and the role of cumulus cells, the NO/NO synthase system, protein kinase C, and tyrosine kinases in this effect; and (3) PRL effects in the presence of gonadotropins on the developmental capacity of cumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed oocytes. The transcript and protein expression of the PRL receptor in the cells were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The nuclear status of oocytes was assessed after culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (DOs) with or without PRL (5-500 ng/mL) for 7, 14, or 24 hours. Besides, DOs were incubated for 7 hours in the absence or the presence of PRL (50 ng/mL) and/or L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase), genistein (an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases), or calpostin C (a protein kinase C inhibitor). After IVM in 2 different systems containing PRL (50 ng/mL) and/or gonadotropic hormones, a part of oocytes underwent IVF and IVC and the embryo development was tracked until the blastocyst stage. Messenger RNA of long and short isoforms of the PRL receptor was revealed in both oocytes and cumulus cells. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of the PRL receptor in oocytes and the cumulus investment. In the absence of gonadotropins (system 1), PRL retarded meiosis resumption in DOs but not in cumulus-enclosed oocytes, with this effect being short term, dose dependent, suppressed by L-NAME and genistein, and unaffected by calpostin. In systems containing gonadotropins, PRL did not affect nuclear maturation and the cleavage rate of cumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed oocytes. However, in the case of COCs, it raised the blastocyst yield both in system 2 (from 20.5%-40.9%, P < 0.01) and in system 3 (from 21.7%-33.9%, P < 0.05). The findings show for the first time the functioning of the direct pathway of PRL signaling into bovine oocytes, as confirmed by the expression of receptors of PRL and its direct meiosis-retarding effect involving activation of tyrosine kinases and NO synthase. Furthermore, this is the first demonstration that the beneficial effect of PRL on the oocyte developmental capacity is achieved via cumulus cells containing PRL receptors.

05-P018 Changes in Genomewide DNA Methylation during Primordial Germ Cell Development in the Porcine Embryo

These results suggest that wge is involved in epigenetic regulation, but its function is different from typical PcG and trxG. In this study, to know whether wge maintains either silenced or active transcriptional states, we investigated the effects of wge mutation on PcG / trxG PcG/trxG response element (PRE / TRE)– mediated (PRE/TRE)-mediated gene regulations. Fab-7 is a genetically identified PRE / TRE PRE/TRE of the bithorax-complex. The analysis demonstrated that wge functions as trxG and maintains of active transcriptional state on at least one of PRE / TRE, PRE/ TRE, Fab-7. Next, we performed DNA microarray analysis in order to narrow down the target genes of wge. The analysis revealed that 581 genes was up-regulated and 494 genes was down-regulated by overexpression of wge in eye discs. These genes are candidates for targets of wge including the genes regulated epigenetically by wge in the eye to wing transformation. Now, we are trying to do ChIPon-chip analysis using wge-expression cells.