Epigenetic Conversion as a Safe and Simple Method to Obtain Insulin-secreting Cells from Adult Skin Fibroblasts
Summary
Here, a new method that allows the conversion of adult skin fibroblasts into insulin-secreting cells is presented. This technique is based on epigenetic conversion, does not involve the use of retroviral vectors nor the acquisition of a stable pluripotent state. It is therefore highly promising for translational medicine applications.
Abstract
Regenerative medicine requires new, fully functional cells that are delivered to patients in order to repair degenerated or damaged tissues. When such cells are not readily available, they can be obtained using different approaches that include, among the many, reprogramming and trans-differentiation, with advantages and limitations that are specific of the different techniques. Here a new strategy for the conversion of an adult mature fibroblast into an insulin-secreting cell, arbitrarily designated as epigenetic converted cells (EpiCC), is described. The method has been developed, based on the increasing understanding of the mechanisms controlling epigenetic regulation of cell fate and differentiation. In particular, the first step uses an epigenetic modifier, namely 5-aza-cytidine, to drive adult cells into a “highly permissive” state. It then takes advantage of this brief and reversible window of epigenetic plasticity, to re-address cells toward a different lineage. The approach is designated “epigenetic cell conversion”. It is a simple and robust way to obtain an efficient, controlled and stable cellular inter-lineage switch. Since the protocol does not involve the use of any gene transfection, it is free of viral vectors and does not involve a stable pluripotent state, it is highly promising for translational medicine applications.
Introduction
A fundamental objective of regenerative medicine is the generation of new, functional cells that can be used to repair or replace damaged, degenerated tissues. Remaking easily available adult cells into new ones, by converting them from one cell type to another, is a particularly appealing approach, especially when the required cell population is not abundant or difficult to access. However, adult cells are remarkably stable. They acquire their differentiated state through a gradual restriction in their options and, once they reach the mature terminal specialization, they stably retain it 1.
In the last years a number of protocols have been developed, that enable the reprogramming to pluripotency of a somatic cell (iPS) achieved through the forced expression of a set of transcription factors 2,3. Alternatively, cell conversion can be obtained by direct lineage transdifferentiation, introducing a single 4 or a combination of transcription factors 5-7. This strategy does not involve the transition through a de-differentiated state but requires high expression of the specific transcription factors 8.
We have recently developed a conversion protocol based on the brief exposure of adult cells to the demethylating properties of the cytidine analog 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR), a well-characterized DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. The demethylation step is immediately followed by a specific differentiation protocol 9-11 that allows to obtain the required terminal phenotype. This method is able to convert mature, differentiated cells into cells of a different lineage and has the substantial advantage to avoid both the use of viral vectors and the transfection of any exogenous transcription factors. The acquisition of a stable pluripotent state, and the related increased susceptibility to cell instability is also avoided.
The detailed protocol that allows the conversion of adult human skin fibroblasts into fully functional insulin-secreting cells is presented here. However, it is worth noting that the technique has been applied to different cell types and has generated positive results, when addressing cells towards various differentiation pathways. Furthermore, epigenetic conversion has been successfully used in the human and porcine species 9-13 as well as in the dog (manuscript submitted) suggesting a wide efficacy and robustness of the approach.
Protocol
Representative Results
Discussion
The present manuscript describes a method that allows the conversion of human skin fibroblasts into insulin-producing cells, through a transient and brief exposure to 5-aza-CR, followed by a tissue specific induction protocol. This approach allows a switch from mesoderm to endoderm related cells, without the forced expression of transcription factors or microRNAs nor the acquisition of a stable pluripotent state, that makes cells more unstable and prone to mistakes 14.
In the first …
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
This work was funded by Carraresi Foundation and European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD). GP is supported by a post-doc fellowship of the University of Milan. The Authors are members of the COST Action FA1201 Epiconcept: Epigenetics and Periconception environment and the COST Action BM1308 Sharing advances on large animal models (SALAAM). TALB is member of the COST Action CM1406 Epigenetic Chemical Biology (EPICHEM).
Materials
| Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline | Sigma | D5652 | PBS; for cell wash and solution preparation |
| Antibiotic Antimycotic Solution | Sigma | A5955 | Component of Fibroblast, HP and Pancreatic media |
| 100 mm petri dish | Sarstedt | 83.3902 | For Fibroblast isolation |
| Porcine Gelatin | Sigma | G1890 | For dish coating |
| Water | Sigma | W3500 | For solution preparation |
| 35 mm petri dishes | Sarstedt | 83.39 | For Fibroblast isolation |
| DMEM, high glucose, pyruvate | Life Technologies | 41966052 | For Fibroblast culture medium |
| Fetal Bovine Serum | Life Technologies | 10500064 | FBS; Component of Fibroblast and HP media |
| L-Glutamine solution | Sigma | G7513 | Component of Fibroblast, HP and Pancreatic media |
| Trypsin-EDTA solution | Sigma | T3924 | For Fibroblast dissociation |
| KOVA GLASSTIC SLIDE 10 WITH GRIDS | Hycor Biomedical | 87144 | Cell counting |
| 5-Azacytidine | Sigma | A2385 | 5-aza-CR, for increrase cell plasticity in fibroblasts |
| Ham's F-10 Nutrient Mix | Life Technologies | 31550031 | For HP medium |
| DMEM, low glucose, pyruvate | Life Technologies | 31885023 | For HP medium |
| KnockOut Serum Replacement | Life Technologies | 10828028 | Component of HP medium |
| MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids Solution | Life Technologies | 11140035 | Component of HP and Pancreatic Basal media |
| 2-Mercaptoethanol | Sigma | M7522 | Component of HP and Pancreatic Basal media |
| Guanosine | Sigma | G6264 | Nucleoside mix stock component of HP medium |
| Adenosine | Sigma | A4036 | Nucleoside mix stock component of HP medium |
| Cytidine | Sigma | C4654 | Nucleoside mix stock component of HP medium |
| Uridine | Sigma | U3003 | Nucleoside mix stock component of HP medium |
| Thymidine | Sigma | T1895 | Nucleoside mix stock component of HP medium |
| Millex-GS 0,22 µm | Millipore | SLGS033SB | For sterilizing of solution |
| FGF-Basic (AA 1-155) Recombinant Human Protein | Life Technologies | PHG0261 | bFGF; Component of HP and Pancreatic Basal medium |
| Bovine Serum Albumin | Sigma | A3311 | BSA; Component of Pancreatic Basal medium |
| DMEM/F-12 | Life Technologies | 11320074 | For Pancreatic Basal medium |
| B-27 Supplement Minus Vitamin A | Life Technologies | 12587010 | Component of Pancreatic medium |
| N-2 Supplement | Life Technologies | 17502048 | Component of Pancreatic Basal medium |
| Activin A Recombinant Human Protein | Life Technologies | PHG9014 | For Pancreatic medium |
| Retinoic Acid | Sigma | R2625 | For Pancreatic medium |
| Dimethyl sulfoxide | Sigma | D2650 | DMSO; for Retinoic Acid stock preparation |
| Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium | Life Technologies | 41400045 | ITS; for Pancreatic Final medium |
| Anti-Vimentin antibody | Abcam | ab8069 | For immunocytochemical analisys. Working dilution 1:100 |
| 4′,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride | Sigma | 32670 | DAPI. For immunocytochemical analisys. Working dilution 1µg/ml |
| 5-Methylcytidine | Eurogentec | MMS-900P-B | For immunocytochemical analisys. Working dilution 1:500 |
| Anti-C Peptide antibody | Abcam | ab14181 | For immunocytochemical analisys. Working dilution 1:100 |
| Anti-PDX1 antibody | Abcam | ab47267 | For immunocytochemical analisys. Working dilution 1:500 |
| Mercodia Insulin ELISA | Mercodia | 10-1113-10 | For insulin release detection |
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