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Cynomolgus monkey embryo model captures gastrulation and early pregnancy
Jie Li1, Qingyuan Zhu2, Jing Cao3
1Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Cell Stem Cell
|April 7, 2023
Summary
Researchers created primate blastoids from monkey stem cells that mimic early embryonic development. These blastoids show in vitro gastrulation and can establish pregnancies in vivo, offering a new model for studying primate embryogenesis.
Area of Science:
- * Developmental Biology
- * Stem Cell Biology
- * Primate Embryogenesis
Background:
- * Human blastoids model early human development but have limitations in studying developmental potential.
- * Investigating primate embryonic development is crucial but faces ethical and accessibility challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To develop a cynomolgus monkey blastoid model using naive embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
- * To assess the in vitro developmental capacity and in vivo pregnancy potential of these monkey blastoids.
Main Methods:
- * Generation of cynomolgus monkey blastoids from naive ESCs.
- * Prolonged in vitro culture (IVC) to observe developmental progression.
- * Single-cell transcriptomics and immunostaining for cellular and structural analysis.
- * Transfer of blastoids to surrogate mothers to assess in vivo potential.
Main Results:
- * Monkey blastoids replicated blastocyst morphology and transcriptomics.
- * In vitro culture led to the formation of embryonic disk structures, including primitive streak and germ layers.
- * Identified primordial germ cells, gastrulating cells, and hemato-endothelial progenitors.
- * Successful pregnancies were established after transferring blastoids to surrogates, evidenced by progesterone levels and gestation sacs.
Conclusions:
- * Cynomolgus monkey blastoids demonstrate in vitro gastrulation capabilities.
- * These blastoids can support early pregnancy in vivo, validating their developmental potential.
- * Provides a valuable model system for studying primate embryonic development, overcoming ethical and access limitations associated with human embryo research.
