Defining links between chromatin state and developmental competence

Return to Grants

Grant Award Details

Grant Type:

Basic Biology V

Grant Number:

RB5-07236

Investigator(s):

Name:

Maike Sander

Institution:

University of California, San Diego

Type:

Human Stem Cell Use:

Embryonic Stem Cell

Award Value:

$1,050,300

Status:

Closed

Progress Reports

Reporting Period:

Year 1

Reporting Period:

Year 2

The potential to generate functional pancreatic beta cells or liver cells from human embryonic stem cells provides a promising avenue for cell replacement therapies for treatment of diabetes and chronic liver disease, respectively. Despite progress, beta cells and liver cells produced from stem cells still lack many of the characteristics of normal human beta or liver cells. Pancreas and liver arise from a common precursor cell and organ specific-inductive signals must act upon these precursor cells to activate either pancreas- or liver-specific genes. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling pancreas versus liver fate decisions are not understood. Here, we employed a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation system toward pancreas and liver to examine if cell fate decisions could be determined by the state of enhancers: regulatory DNA sequences that, when bound by transcription factors, enhance gene transcription. We show that pancreas- and liver-specific enhancers of these precursor cells are in a “poised” state for activation. When precursor cells are exposed to inductive factors, this leads to rapid changes in the chromatin structure of these enhancers. These changes render the cell competent to appropriately respond to inductive signals by allowing accessibility of the DNA to lineage-specifying transcription factors and activation of either pancreas- or liver-specific genes. In addition, we have examined how transcription factors and chromatin structure cooperatively shape a transcriptionally permissive enhancer landscape prior to gene activation. Specifically, we observed the recruitment of pioneer transcription factors as these enhancers become poised coinciding with the acquisition of a more permissive chromatin state. Over the next year, we will continue our research on defining the mechanisms of enhancer poising. We will also investigate the mechanisms of lineage restriction by focusing on poised pancreas and liver enhancers as cells commit to the alternate lineage. Our studies will be instrumental in improving the quality and efficiency of cell differentiation of hESCs and other cell sources.

Reporting Period:

Year 3

Grant Application Details

Application Title:

Defining links between chromatin state and developmental competence

Public Abstract:

This proposal aims to define fundamental mechanisms that underlie the production of human pancreas and liver cells. The proposed research seeks to advance the development of stem cell-based therapies for diabetes and chronic liver disease. Diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency due to destruction and/or malfunction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetic patients would benefit tremendously from the availability of transplantable replacement beta cells produced from stem cells. Similarly, stem cell-derived replacement liver cells could help improve liver function in patients with chronic liver disease and/or help identify drugs that protect the liver form damage. Despite some progress, it is at present not possible to produce functional beta or liver cells from stem cells. During embryonic development, the pancreas and liver arise from a common precursor cell. To produce functional beta or liver cells from stem cells in culture, cells have to transition through this pancreas/liver precursor step. We propose to identify mechanisms by which stem cell-derived precursors acquire the ability to develop into beta or liver cells. Knowledge gained from this proposal will have several important applications. First, it will help devise strategies to produce functional replacement beta and liver cells from stem cells. Second, it will inform approaches aimed at directly converting other tissues, such as skin, into insulin-producing or liver cells.

Statement of Benefit to California:

This proposal will have relevance to finding cures for two major diseases: diabetes and liver disease. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects 8.3% of the U.S. population. Average medical expenditures among people with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than those of people without diabetes. The disease is characterized by insulin deficiency due to destruction and/or malfunction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. An ultimate treatment for diabetes would be to replace lost beta cells with transplantable insulin-producing cells. Similarly, replacing damaged liver cells could have major impact on alleviating the consequences of chronic liver disease. One in ten people in the U.S. have liver disease and chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver cancer are on the rise. Thus, deriving pancreatic beta cells or liver cells from stem cells could have major impact on improving the life of people with diabetes or liver disease. Stem cell-derived beta or liver cells could also be used in drug discovery screens with the hope of identitying drugs that can improve cell function. This proposal seeks to identify strategies for deriving functional pancreatic and liver cells from stem cells; a goal that remains to be been achieved. Given the high prevalence of diabetes and liver disease in California, we believe that the proposed research will have tremendous benefit to the State of California and its citizens.

Publications

Cell Stem Cell (2015): Epigenetic Priming of Enhancers Predicts Developmental Competence of hESC-Derived Endodermal Lineage Intermediates. (PubMed: 25842977)