H19/Igf2 Expression and Methylation of Histone 3 in Mice Chimeric Blastocysts

Background Currently, the efficient production of chimeric mice and their survival are still challenging. Recent researches have indicated that preimplantation embryo culture media and manipulation lead to abnormal methylation of histone in the H19/Igf2 promotor region and consequently alter their gene expression pattern. This investigation was designed to evaluate the relationship between the methylation state of histone H3 and H19/Igf2 expression in mice chimeric blastocysts. Methods Mouse 129/Sv embryonic stem cells (mESCs) expressing the green fluorescent protein (mESCs-GFP) were injected into the perivitelline space of 2.5 days post-coitis (dpc) embryos (C57BL/6) using a micromanipulator. H3K4 and H3K9 methylation, and H19 and Igf2 expression was measured by immunocytochemistry and q-PCR, respectively, in blastocysts. Results Histone H3 trimethylation in H3K4 and H3K9 in chimeric blastocysts was significantly less and greater, respectively (p< 0.05), than in controls. H19 expression was significantly less (p< 0.05), while Igf2 expression was less, but not significantly so, in chimeric than in control blastocysts. Conclusion Our results showed, that the alteration ofH3K4me3 and H3K9me3 methylation, change H19/Igf2 expression in chimeric blastocysts.