> Assays per cell type > Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs)

Which genomic assay when working
on human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs)

Genomic stability is one of the primary concerns for research scientists working on human pluripotent stem cells. Although these cells have amazing capabilities, they are prone to developing chromosomal abnormalities during their time in culture. This can also be the case after critical bottleneck events such as gene editing, basically every time the cells experience replicative stress imposed by in-vitro culture.

The chromosomal defects you need to watch for when you are a research scientist working on hPSCs

Recurrent genomic alterations, essentially copy number variations (CNVs), often affect the same genomic regions, such as 1q, 12p, 17q, 20q and the X chromosome. This provides the affected cells with a selective advantage which may favor proliferation, cell survival or reduce cell differentiation capacities.

Gain of 20q11.21 copy-number variant (CNV) is detected in more than 20% of human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs) cultured worldwide and represents 22.9% of the recurrent structural variants identified in hPSCs (Assou et al., 2020; Avery et al., 2013; Halliwell et al., 2020). This makes it the most common genomic abnormality in hPSCs. Unfortunately, it cannot always be detected by conventional methods.

The other important factor to take into account when working on hPSCs is the speed at which those alterations can overcome the whole culture (Hastings et al., 2009). It can happen in 5 passages or less (Assou et al., 2020; McIntire et al., 2020; Pamies et al., 2017). It is therefore essential to perform tests routinely, and at early stages.

In the case of human Pluripotent Stem Cells, the abnormalities that arise will persist following differentiation. Whether you differentiate your cells or not, this can invalidate your research, interfere with studies that use iPSC cells for disease modelling or drug screening or present substantial risks for patient health in clinical trials.

It is therefore essential for researchers to undertake regular in-process controls to achieve optimized hPSCs culture conditions.

Detect over 92% of recurrent abnormalities in hPSCs in record-breaking time !

The ultimate combined solution for hPSC in-process genomic stability testing

Confidently detect mycoplasma in any human cell culture

Practical testing guidelines

Based on our extensive experience working with hPSC research scientists, we recommend regular in- process testing at different sensitive stages in the workflow. Click on the graph for more details:

The workflow for PSC genetic integrity quality control recommended by Stem Genomics

Definition

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Cells capable of maintaining an undifferentiated state indefinitely and that give rise to all cells in the body.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). A type of pluripotent stem cell derived from adult somatic cells and reprogrammed to an embryonic stem (ES) cell-like state by chemical or genetic reprogramming, commonly by inducing the expression of the transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM).

History

1981: Martin Evans of Cardiff University, UK, then at the University of Cambridge, is first to identify embryonic stem cells in mice.

1997: From the “Dolly the sheep” experiment, the first artificial animal clone, Iam Wilmut and his colleagues at the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh imagine that creating genetically matched tissue and organs in humans would be possible.

1998: James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin in Madison and John Gearhart of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore isolate human embryonic stem cells and grow them in the lab.

2006: Shinya Yamanaka developed a revolutionary method for generating stem cells from existing cells of the body: inserting specific genes into the nuclei of adult cells, a process that results in the reversion of cells from an adult state to a pluripotent state.

2012: Nobel prize awarded to Shinya Yamanaka and John B. Gurdon for the discovery that mature cells could be reprogrammed.

This discovery marked a turning point in stem cell research, because it offered a way of obtaining human stem cells without the controversial use of human embryos.

Since then, iPSCs have demonstrated extraordinary applications in the fields of disease modelling, drug screening and regenerative medicine.

Effective genomic stability testing for hPSCs implies a fast and cost-effective assay:

In order to follow recommended guidelines by the ISSCR, a suitable test needs to be selected. Although pertinent at certain key stages of the workflow, G-Banding, the traditionally used technique for genomic stability testing, is not suitable for regular in-process assessment. It would slow processes down and be cost-prohibitive.

With these constraints in mind, Stem Genomics has developed a rapid and cost-effective digital PCR- based solution called iCS-digital™ PSC.

This assay combines a fast turnaround with high resolution, enabling the precise detection of sub-karyotypic defects such as the 20q11.21 chromosomal abnormality.

List of Stem Genomics’ human Pluripotent Stem Cell dedicated assays:

iCS-digital™ PSC range: Available in 24 probes, 12 probes or 20q only, as a service or a kit, this unique test enables up to 92% detection of recurrent genomic abnormalities in hPSCs. More on iCS-digital™ PSC.

Duo iCS-Karyo: a powerful combination of traditional G-Banding karyotyping and iCS-digital™ PSC for comprehensive detection of PSC abnormalities. Available as a service only. More on Duo iCS-Karyo.

Which genomic assay when working on human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs)