Study of TCL1 gene action in the reprogramming of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)

Author(s)

Tathiane Maistro Malta

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2013-08-09

Examining board members

Simone Kashima Haddad; Andréia Machado Leopoldino; Flavio Vieira Meirelles; Rodrigo do Tocantins Calado de Saloma Rodrigues; Wilson Araújo da Silva Junior

• Advisor: Simone Kashima Haddad; Virgínia Picanço e Castro

Abstract

Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent stage (iPS) acquiring properties similar to embryonic stem cells (ESC). The interest in pluripotent stem cells lies in their ability to originate all types of somatic and germ cells, and in their possible application in the treatment of various chronic and degenerative diseases. Since its first description, different combinations of molecules have been successfully used for the generation of iPS. However, the mechanisms by which the transduction of specific factors act on cell reprogramming remain unclear. This study aimed to induce the TCL1 gene expression in human fibroblasts and to evaluate its effect on the cell reprogramming process. We established human fibroblast cell lines with stable expression of TCL1 and cultured these cells under pluripotency conditions. After modification, the cells acquired a pluripotent stem cells-like morphology, stained positive for intracellular protein NANOG, expressed high levels of SOX2, MYC, NANOG, LIN28, TP53, CDH1, and reduced levels of SLUG, as compared to nontransduced fibroblasts. In order to evaluate the transcriptional changes resulting from the insertion of TCL1 and from the culture conditions favoring the pluripotency, we compared the gene expression profiles obtained by microarray among different libraries, including the TCL1 modified cells, fibroblasts, ESC and iPS. Exploratory data analysis showed that the introduction of TCL1 gene modified the expression profile of cells and the resulting fibroblasts acquired a transcriptional profile that resembled more to the profile of pluripotent cells than with the profile of the somatic cells. Differential data analysis revealed that pathways important for cell reprogramming were modulated by TCL1 insertion such as: Human embryonic pluripotent stem cell pathway, Wnt / ?-catenin signaling pathway, and Regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The results of this study suggest that TCL1 interacts with AKT1, increasing its activity, which in turn activates NANOG, triggering the machinery of pluripotency and thus contribute to cellular reprogramming. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11646-3 - Evaluation of pluripotency regulatory mechanisms in human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS)
• Grantee: Tathiane Maistro Malta Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate