The early stages of embryonic development hold numerous mysteries that have yet to be fully understood. Exploring and unraveling these mysteries can provide valuable insights into the process of early development and birth defects. Additionally, this knowledge can contribute to the development of innovative regenerative medicine treatments, offering potential advancements in medical interventions and therapies. By delving deeper into these mysteries, we can enhance our understanding of life’s earliest stages and improve healthcare outcomes.
A team of researchers from the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) at Monash University has made significant progress in understanding a crucial period during mammalian embryonic development. They accomplished this by employing advanced and groundbreaking imaging techniques. The results of their study have been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, showcasing their significant findings to the scientific community and beyond.
Dr. Jennifer Zenker, the lead researcher, explains that during the early stages of embryogenesis, when the embryo consists of only about 16 cells, a critical decision takes place. The embryo must determine which cells will develop into the main body of the embryo itself and which cells will become extra-embryonic tissue, such as the placenta. This early decision-making process is essential for the proper development and differentiation of different cell types within the embryo.
Through their study, the research team has made a significant discovery regarding the decision-making process during early embryonic development. They have achieved this by capturing and analyzing the internal organization of individual cells within the early embryo. By examining the internal structure and organization of these cells, the researchers gained insights into how the cells make the crucial decision regarding their future fate in becoming part of the main embryo or contributing to extra-embryonic tissues.
Dr. Zenker explains that ribonucleic acid (RNA) plays a crucial role in this decision-making process. At the 16-cell stage of embryonic development, specific types of RNA, including rRNAs, mRNAs, and tRNAs, are sorted and positioned at two distinct ends of a cell known as the apical and basal side. The distribution of these RNA subtypes determines the fate of the subsequent generation of cells within the embryo. In essence, the localization and organization of RNA molecules within the cells guide the developmental pathway and determine the cell types that will emerge in the developing embryo.
An interesting observation from the study is that while the majority of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and transfer RNAs (tRNAs) remain concentrated at the apical side of the cells, most ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules move towards the basal side. This movement of rRNA occurs by hitchhiking on organelles called lysosomes. Although the apical sides of the outer cells at the 16-cell stage contain a smaller amount of RNA overall, they possess the complete collection of RNAs and other essential factors necessary for protein production. This distribution of RNA and factors ensures that the required components for protein synthesis are available in the appropriate regions of the developing embryo.
On the basal side of the cells, the researchers found that it is predominantly occupied by rRNAs. The daughter cells that inherit the more active protein production machinery from the apical side become more specialized and transform into cells that will contribute to the development of the placenta. These cells, known as pluripotent cells, retain the potential to differentiate into any type of cell in the adult organism. In contrast, the daughter cells that receive a larger portion of less translationally active rRNA maintain their pluripotency and have the ability to develop into various cell types in the future. This distribution of rRNAs contributes to the differential specialization and potential of the daughter cells within the early embryo.
The process of cell fate determination, including the decision described in the study, is crucial in development as it ultimately determines how early cells differentiate into specific cell types, such as skin cells, heart muscle cells, and brain cells. Understanding and controlling cell fate has significant implications for regenerative medicine. The ability to manipulate and orchestrate cell fate opens up possibilities for generating new treatments based on stem cells for various diseases and conditions. By directing the differentiation of stem cells into specific cell types, it becomes possible to develop regenerative therapies that can replace damaged or diseased cells, offering potential breakthroughs in medical treatment.
“As in real life, cells can influence the direction of their own future by getting organised early. Our research may open new ways to predict and direct cell fate decisions,” Dr Zenker said.
