2023-11-10 11:29:57
Scientists from several Chinese institutions have created a chimeric monkey by completing the early embryo of one animal with homologous cells from another. In this case, they are considered chimeric, even though they have cells of the same species, because they have different DNA corresponding to two individuals.
This achievement, published in the magazine Cellmay have practical implications relevant to genetic engineering and species conservation.
“It could be used to model human diseases through gene modification of pluripotent donor cells. In principle, it could also be used for the conservation of species, if the chimerism is between two species of non-human primates and there is a contribution from the donor cells to the germ cell line,” the Spanish scientist tells SINC. Miguel Ángel Esteban and co-author of this work.
Zhen Liulead author of the research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adds: “Specifically, this work could help us generate more accurate monkey models for the study of neurological diseases, as well as for other biomedical studies,” he says.
It could be used to model human diseases through gene modification of pluripotent donor cells
Miguel Ángel Esteban
The monkeys used in the study were cynomolgus macaques, a common primate in biomedical research. The researchers first established nine stem cell lines, using cells taken from 7 day old embryos. They then placed them in culture to give them a greater ability to differentiate into different cell types.
They also performed a series of tests on the cells to confirm that they were pluripotentand the stem cells were labeled with a green fluorescent protein in order to determine what tissues had grown from them in any animal that developed and survived.
“That they are pluripotent implies that they are similar to the cells of the early embryo and therefore have the capacity to develop tissues, and they are marked with a fluorescent protein to facilitate their detection in the chimeric animal,” emphasizes the Spanish researcher.
That the cells are pluripotent implies that they are similar to the cells of the early embryo and therefore have the capacity to develop tissues.
Miguel Ángel Esteban
Ultimately, they selected a particular subset of stem cells to inject into early embryos that were 4 to 5 days old. These were implanted into female macaques, resulting in twelve pregnancies and six live births.
The analysis confirmed that a monkey that was born alive and an aborted fetus were substantially chimeric, containing cells that grew from stem cells throughout its body. Both men.
Green markings to differentiate fabrics
To determine which tissues contained cells derived from the injected stem cells, the scientists used green labels via fluorescent proteins. They also used gene sequencing and other tests to confirm its presence in different organs.
The types of tissue that were proven to contain the stem cell-derived cells included the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. In the living monkey, the contribution of stem cells in different tissue types ranged from 21% to 92%, with an average of 67% in the 26 tissue types analyzed. The numbers were lower in the monkey fetus.
Pluripotent monkey stem cells have the ability to differentiate in vivo into all the various tissues that make up the animal’s body.
Miguel Ángel Esteban
In both animals, the presence of cells derived from stem cells was also confirmed in the testicles and in the cells that eventually become sperm.
“In this study, we have provided strong evidence that pluripotent monkey stem cells possess the ability to differentiate alive in all the various tissues that make up the animal’s body,” Esteban highlights.
The researchers also plan to further explore the mechanisms underlying embryo survival in host animals, which they say will help improve the efficiency of chimera generation.
“The next steps will consist of improving the efficiency of the chimera generation process and modifying the culture of pluripotent donor cells so that they resemble even more those of the early embryo. We believe that the latter will help to ensure that the chimeric monkeys do not have problems related to epigenetic abnormalities”concludes Esteban.
This work, like other related priors, follows strict national and international ethical rules.
Fuente: SINC
Rights: Creative Commons.
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