不同基质蛋白对小鼠胚胎干细胞生殖细胞分化相关基因表达的影响

目的:探讨不同基质蛋白对小鼠胚胎干细胞(mouse embryonic stem cells,mESCs)分化形成拟胚体(embry-oid bodies,EBs)后生殖细胞分化相关基因表达的影响及机制。方法:mESCs分化形成EBs 3 d后接种于不同基质蛋白包被的培养皿中,包括人工基底膜(matrigel,M组)、纤维连接蛋白(fibronectin,F组)、层粘蛋白(laminin,L组)、胶原(collagen,C组)和非生物活性底物琼脂糖(agarose,A组),同时设不加任何基质蛋白的空白对照组(B组)。RT-PCR检测EBs在不同基质蛋白上d1～d4期间生殖细胞分化相关基因的表达,以及mESCs内源性基质蛋白FN(fibronectin)、LN(laminin)以及整合素受体β1基因的表达。结果:L组和F组EBs易贴壁分化,RT-PCR结果也证实原始生殖细胞(PGCs)分化基因Blimp-1、Stella、Mvh和减数分裂启动基因Stra8在L组和F组表达总体趋势为逐渐增强;M组和C组的表达趋势不明显;A组基因表达水平整体偏低;空白对照B组基因表达水平整体偏高但均呈下降趋势。L组和空白对照组细胞表达内源性基质蛋白FN、LN以及整合素受体β1。结论:层粘蛋白/β1信号途径可能对mESCs向PGCs分化具有指导作用,外源性层粘蛋白可能通过其受体β1亚单位传递诱导信号,调节mESCs来源的EBs向PGCs分化,FN可能通过其他整合素受体亚单位发挥作用。无任何外源性基质蛋白时,自身分泌的内源性基质蛋白也促进细胞分化。

Extracellular Matrix Regulates Expressions of Germ Cell Differentiation Associated Genes in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Objective: Interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM) are essential for cell differentiation. The authors sought to determine the roles of different ECMs in the expressions of germ cell differentiation associated genes after mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) differentiated into embryoid bodies (EBs). Methods: EBs derived from mESCs were maintained in suspension for 3 days and then cultured on the plates coated with various ECMs, including fibronectin (F), laminin (L), matrigel (M), collagen (C) and nonadhensive agarose (A), respectively, for 1,2, 3 or 4 days, followed by evaluation of the expressions of the genes associated with germ cell differentiation by RT-PCR. Results : The EBs of the F and L groups exhibited facilitated adherent differentiation.The expressions of the Blimp-1, Stella, Mvh and Stra8 genes were increased gradually in the F and L but not obviously in the M and C groups. The overall gene expressions were low in the A group, but high and then gradually decreased in the blank control group. Endogenous fibronectin, laminin and integrin β1 were obviously expressed in the L and control groups. Conclusion : Laminin/integrin β1 signaling may play a role in regulating the differentiation of mESCs into primordial germ cells (PGCs). Exogenous laminin can facilitate the differentiation of mESC-derived EBs into PGCs by acting on the integrin β1 subunit, while exogenous fibronectin may be involved in the regulation of the differentiation through other integrin subunit. Endogenous laminin and fibronectin secreted by EBs may also facilitate cell differentiation in the absence of exogenous ECMs.