A Cell Electrofusion Chip for Somatic Cells Reprogramming

PLoS One. 2015 Jul 15;10(7):e0131966. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131966. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Cell fusion is a potent approach to explore the mechanisms of somatic cells reprogramming. However, previous fusion methods, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) mediated cell fusion, are often limited by poor fusion yields. In this study, we developed a simplified cell electrofusion chip, which was based on a micro-cavity/ discrete microelectrode structure to improve the fusion efficiency and to reduce multi-cell electrofusion. Using this chip, we could efficiently fuse NIH3T3 cells and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to induce somatic cells reprogramming. We also found that fused cells demethylated gradually and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) was involved in the demethylation during the reprogramming. Thus, the cell electrofusion chip would facilitate reprogramming mechanisms research by improving efficiency of cell fusion and reducing workloads.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methylcytosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Animals
  • Cellular Reprogramming*
  • Cytosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Cytosine / metabolism
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA Methylation
  • Electroporation / instrumentation*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Karyotyping
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Nanog protein, mouse
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • Pou5f1 protein, mouse
  • 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
  • 5-Methylcytosine
  • Cytosine
  • DNA

Grants and funding

This study was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2013CB967002) (http://www.973.gov.cn/Default_3.aspx).