Biology subjects

Scatolin, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Scatolin, G..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Establishment of bovine extraembryonic endoderm cells

Understanding the mechanisms of hypoblast development and its role in the implantation is critical for improving farm animal reproduction, but it is hampered by the lack of research models. Here we report that a chemical cocktail (FGF4, BMP4, IL-6, XAV939, and A83-01) enables de novo derivation and long-term culture of bovine extraembryonic endoderm cells (bXENs). Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses confirmed the identity of bXENs and revealed that they are resemble hypoblast lineages of early bovine peri-implantation embryos. We showed that bXENs help maintain the stemness of bovine ESCs and prevent them from differentiation. In the presence of a signaling cocktail sustaining bXENs, the growth and progression of epiblasts are also facilitated in the developing pre-implantation embryo. Furthermore, through 3D assembly of bXENs with bovine ESCs and TSCs, we developed an improved bovine blastocyst like structure (bovine blastoid) that resembles blastocyst. The bovine XENs and blastoids established in this study represent accessible in vitro models for understanding hypoblast development and improving reproductive efficiency in livestock species.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

METTL7A improves bovine IVF embryo competence by attenuating oxidative stress

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a widely used assisted reproductive technology to achieve a successful pregnancy. However, the acquisition of oxidative stress in embryo in vitro culture impairs its competence. Here, we demonstrated that a nuclear coding gene, methyltransferase- like protein 7A (METTL7A), improves the developmental potential of bovine embryos. We found that exogenous METTL7A modulates expression of genes involved in embryonic cell mitochondrial pathways and promotes trophectoderm development. Surprisingly, we discovered that METTL7A alleviates mitochondrial stress and DNA damage and promotes cell cycle progression during embryo cleavage. In summary, we have identified a novel mitochondria stress eliminating mechanism regulated by METTL7A that occurs during the acquisition of oxidative stress in embryo in vitro culture. This discovery lays the groundwork for the development of METTL7A as a promising therapeutic target for IVF embryo competence. Summary statement (Graphic abstract)We describe a molecule acts in the pre-implantation period to attenuate oxidative stress that enhances embryo development to the blastocyst stage and subsequent pregnancy in cattle. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=163 SRC="FIGDIR/small/628915v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (43K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12863c7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@aec66aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@648ccaorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1572927_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Single-cell transcriptional landscapes of bovine peri-implantation development

Supporting healthy pregnancy outcomes requires a comprehensive understanding of the cellular hierarchy and underlying molecular mechanisms during peri-implantation development. Here, we present a single-cell transcriptome-wide view of the bovine peri-implantation embryo development at day 12, 14, 16 and 18, when most of the pregnancy failure occurs in cattle. We defined the development and dynamic progression of cellular composition and gene expression of embryonic disc, hypoblast, and trophoblast lineages during bovine peri-implantation development. Notably, the comprehensive transcriptomic mapping of trophoblast development revealed a previously unrecognized primitive trophoblast cell lineage that is responsible for pregnancy maintenance in bovine prior to the time when binucleate cells emerge. We analyzed novel markers for the cell lineage development during bovine early development. We also identified cell-cell communication signaling underling embryonic and extraembryonic cell interaction to ensure proper early development. Collectively, our work provides foundational information to discover essential biological pathways underpinning bovine peri-implantation development and the molecular causes of the early pregnancy failure during this critical period. Significance StatementPeri-implantation development is essential for successful reproduction in mammalian species, and cattle have a unique process of elongation that proceeds for two weeks prior to implantation and represents a period when many pregnancies fail. Although the bovine embryo elongation has been studied histologically, the essential cellular and molecular factors governing lineage differentiation remain unexplored. This study profiled the transcriptome of single cells in the bovine peri-implantation development throughout day 12, 14, 16, and 18, and identified peri-implantation stage-related features of cell lineages. The candidate regulatory genes, factors, pathways and embryonic and extraembryonic cell interactions were also prioritized to ensure proper embryo elongation in cattle.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Bovine blastocyst like structures derived from stem cell cultures

Understanding blastocyst formation and implantation is critical for improving farm animal reproduction but is hampered by a limited supply of embryos. We developed an efficient method to generate bovine blastocyst-like structures (termed blastoids) via the assembly of trophoblast stem cells and expanded potential stem cells. Bovine blastoids resemble blastocysts in morphology, cell composition, single-cell transcriptomes, and represent an accessible in vitro model for studying bovine embryogenesis.

developmental biology↗