During early embryogenesis, pluripotent cells specify their fates by integrating multiple signals delivered at different times, places, and with different dynamics. In the mouse embryo, interplay between 3 signaling pathways - BMP4, Wnt, and Nodal - initiate the induction and patterning of embryonic germ layers. However, the relevance of these pathways to human development is not understood. Furthermore, how multiple dynamic signaling pathways are integrated to define cellular fate is unclear. Here we propose to use human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to understand how individual cells process these dynamic signals to generate discrete fates. To address this, we developed 2 innovative technologies. First, microfluidics to precisely control the timing of ligand application and follow the behavior of the signal transducer SMAD4, with which we demonstrated that TGF? signaling was adaptive. Second, micropatterns to control hESC colony size and geometry, to show that in response to BMP4, hESCs cultured in circular colonies self-organize into radially symmetric patterns of discrete embryonic germ layers. This remarkably recapitulates the proximal-distal axis of the gastrulating mouse embryo. In this competitive renewal, we combine the strengths of both technologies to deliver distinct dynamics of ligand presentation by microfluidics to CRISPR-edited hESC lines cultured in micropatterned colonies. Four independent signaling-reporter hESC lines that fluorescently tag SMAD1, SMAD2, SMAD4, and ?-CATENIN will be used to visualize signaling, and one triple-tagged, fate-reporter CRISPR-edited line that fluorescently tags SOX2, BRACHYURY, and SOX17, will be used to monitor fate acquisition. Our CRISPR-reporter lines will be used to measure signaling dynamics and fate acquisition, with single cell resolution and in real-time by video-microscopy, when cells are presented with BMP4, Wnt3A, and Activin/Nodal either as a persistent step of defined concentration, or as one of defined duration. We propose three specific aims.
In aim1, the three ligands will be presented to our signaling-reporter CRISPR lines, to follow the behavior of the four tagged signal transducers and to determine the dynamic behavior of each pathway.
In aim2, using the same approach, we will evaluate pathway output by measuring the activity of transcriptional reporters for the three ligands, and use our triple fate-reporter CRISPR line to follow fate acquisition. These two approaches will establish a quantitative link between signaling dynamics, transcriptional output, and fate determination.
In aim3, large datasets obtained from aims1 and 2, will be used to model the kinetics of signal transduction, and provide a mathematical paradigm to explain hESC self-organization. The resolution of our three aims will have a strong impact on our understanding of the dynamic integration of signaling pathways underlying human cell fate specification with direct relevance to both basic understanding, and clinical applications of hESCs.
Stem cells are a critical element for the understanding of early human development, and will ultimately contribute decisively to regenerative medicine. To channel the natural developmental pathways towards defined ends, we will combine microfluidic and micropatterning technologies developed in our laboratory to quantify signaling dynamics in CRISPR-Cas9 technology genome-edited human embryonic stem cells to report on cell signaling and cell fate acquisition. We will use the resulting data to develop models for engineering human cell fates in patterned geometries, which will have a transformative impact on both basic science, and clinical implementation.
| Yoney, Anna; Etoc, Fred; Ruzo, Albert et al. (2018) WNT signaling memory is required for ACTIVIN to function as a morphogen in human gastruloids. Elife 7: |
| Martyn, I; Kanno, T Y; Ruzo, A et al. (2018) Self-organization of a human organizer by combined Wnt and Nodal signalling. Nature 558:132-135 |
| Deglincerti, Alessia; Etoc, Fred; Guerra, M Cecilia et al. (2016) Self-organization of human embryonic stem cells on micropatterns. Nat Protoc 11:2223-2232 |
| Deglincerti, Alessia; Etoc, Fred; Ozair, M Zeeshan et al. (2016) Self-Organization of Spatial Patterning in Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Curr Top Dev Biol 116:99-113 |
| Deglincerti, Alessia; Haremaki, Tomomi; Warmflash, Aryeh et al. (2015) Coco is a dual activity modulator of TGF? signaling. Development 142:2678-85 |
| Warmflash, Aryeh; Sorre, Benoit; Etoc, Fred et al. (2014) A method to recapitulate early embryonic spatial patterning in human embryonic stem cells. Nat Methods 11:847-54 |
| Sorre, Benoit; Warmflash, Aryeh; Brivanlou, Ali H et al. (2014) Encoding of temporal signals by the TGF-? pathway and implications for embryonic patterning. Dev Cell 30:334-42 |
| Ozair, Mohammad Zeeshan; Noggle, Scott; Warmflash, Aryeh et al. (2013) SMAD7 directly converts human embryonic stem cells to telencephalic fate by a default mechanism. Stem Cells 31:35-47 |
| Siggia, Eric D; Vergassola, Massimo (2013) Decisions on the fly in cellular sensory systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:E3704-12 |
| Warmflash, Aryeh; Arduini, Brigitte L; Brivanlou, Ali H (2012) The molecular circuitry underlying pluripotency in embryonic stem cells. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med 4:443-56 |
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