Higher copy number variation and diverse X chromosome inactivation in parthenote-derived human embryonic stem cells.
Parthenote-derived human embryonic stem cells (phESCs) have many advantages over conventionally derived human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), but a more thorough investigation of these cells is needed before they can be implemented in cell therapies. In this work, we used a Cytogenetics Whole-Genome Array to study the copy number variation (CNV) status in phESCs and hESCs. We also investigated X chromosome inactivation (XCI) and expression levels of marker genes in these cells. More CNVs were found in phESCs than in hESCs in the present study, and gene expression appeared to be associated with the gain or loss of CNVs. In addition, a variable XCI status and different expression pattern of paternally expressed imprinted gene were also found in phESCs. In conclusion, although phESCs had a similar pluripotent profile to conventionally derived hESCs, these cells differed in imprinted gene expression, XCI status and number of CNVs. Our work highlights the need for a deeper investigation to elucidate the genetic and epigenetic characteristics of these cells.
Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Experimental Department of Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China. liuwq06@gmail.com
WeiQiang
W
Liu
LiYuan
L
Guo
WenZhi
W
He
Qing
Q
Li
XiaoFang
X
Sun
D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation