Microarray analysis of embryo-derived bovine pluripotent cells: The vulnerable state of bovine embryonic stem cells

PLoS One. 2017 Mar 3;12(3):e0173278. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173278. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Although there are many studies about pluripotent stem cells, little is known about pluripotent pathways and the difficulties of maintaining the pluripotency of bovine cells in vitro. Here, we investigated differently expressed genes (DEG) in bovine embryo-derived stem-like cells (eSLCs) from various origins to validate their distinct characteristics of pluripotency and differentiation. We identified core pluripotency markers and additional markers which were not determined as pluripotency markers yet in bovine eSLCs. Using the KEGG database, TGFβ, WNT, and LIF signaling were related to the maintenance of pluripotency. In contrast, some DEGs related to the LIF pathway were down-regulated, suggesting that reactivation of the pathway may be required for the establishment of true bovine embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Interestingly, oncogenes were co-down-regulated, while tumor suppressor genes were co-up-regulated in eSLCs, implying that this pattern may induce abnormal teratomas. These data analyses of signaling pathways provide essential information on authentic ESCs in addition to providing evidence for pluripotency in bovine eSLCs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / metabolism
  • Cattle
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Microarray Analysis
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Grants and funding

This study was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF, No. 2015048003 through the Oromaxillofacial Dysfunction Research Center for the Elderly at Seoul National University) and the Technology Development Program for Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA; 111160-04), Republic of Korea. ET Biotech Co. Ltd. provided support in the form of salaries for author YGJ, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.