Ultrastructural and molecular distinctions between the porcine inner cell mass and epiblast reveal unique pluripotent cell states

TY - JOUR

T1 - Ultrastructural and molecular distinctions between the porcine inner cell mass and epiblast reveal unique pluripotent cell states

AU - Hall, Vanessa Jane

AU - Jacobsen, Janus Valentin

AU - Rasmussen, Mikkel Aabech

AU - Hyttel, Poul

PY - 2010/11

Y1 - 2010/11

N2 - Characterization of the pluripotent cell populations within the porcine embryo is essential for understanding pluripotency and self-renewal regulation in the inner cell mass (ICM) and epiblast. In this study, we perform detailed ultrastructural and molecular characterization of the developing pluripotent cell population as it develops from the ICM to the late epiblast. The ultrastructural observations revealed that the outer cells of the ICM have a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio but are transcriptionally inactive and contain mitochondria with few cristae. In contrast, the epiblast cells have a reduced nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, are more transcriptionally active, and contain abundant cellular organelles. This study also revealed cavitation and potential unfolding of the epiblast. As the ICM forms the epiblast, SSEA1 is lost and VIMENTIN is lost and re-expressed. The D6 blastocyst expressed high levels of STELLA, TERF1, and GDF3, and the epiblast expressed epithelial markers, MUC1 and E-CADHERIN, and the pluripotency markers, DNMT3B and CRIPTO.

AB - Characterization of the pluripotent cell populations within the porcine embryo is essential for understanding pluripotency and self-renewal regulation in the inner cell mass (ICM) and epiblast. In this study, we perform detailed ultrastructural and molecular characterization of the developing pluripotent cell population as it develops from the ICM to the late epiblast. The ultrastructural observations revealed that the outer cells of the ICM have a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio but are transcriptionally inactive and contain mitochondria with few cristae. In contrast, the epiblast cells have a reduced nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, are more transcriptionally active, and contain abundant cellular organelles. This study also revealed cavitation and potential unfolding of the epiblast. As the ICM forms the epiblast, SSEA1 is lost and VIMENTIN is lost and re-expressed. The D6 blastocyst expressed high levels of STELLA, TERF1, and GDF3, and the epiblast expressed epithelial markers, MUC1 and E-CADHERIN, and the pluripotency markers, DNMT3B and CRIPTO.

U2 - 10.1002/dvdy.22424

DO - 10.1002/dvdy.22424

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 20865782

SN - 1058-8388

VL - 239

SP - 2911

EP - 2920

JO - Developmental Dynamics

JF - Developmental Dynamics

IS - 11

ER -