In:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 97, No. 21 ( 2000-10-10), p. 11307-11312
Abstract:
Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from
the inner cell mass of in vitro fertilized human
blastocysts. We examined the potential of eight growth factors [basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor β1
(TGF-β1), activin-A, bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP-4), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), β nerve growth
factor (βNGF), and retinoic acid] to direct the differentiation of
human ES-derived cells in vitro . We show that human ES
cells that have initiated development as aggregates (embryoid bodies) express a receptor for each of these factors, and that their effects
are evident by differentiation into cells with different epithelial or mesenchymal morphologies. Differentiation of the cells was assayed by
expression of 24 cell-specific molecular markers that cover all embryonic germ layers and 11 different tissues. Each growth factor has
a unique effect that may result from directed differentiation and/or cell selection, and we can divide the overall effects of the factors
into three categories: growth factors (Activin-A and TGFβ1) that mainly induce mesodermal cells; factors (retinoic acid, EGF, BMP-4, and
bFGF) that activate ectodermal and mesodermal markers; and factors (NGF and HGF) that allow differentiation into the three embryonic germ
layers, including endoderm. None of the growth factors directs differentiation exclusively to one cell type. This analysis sets the
stage for directing differentiation of human ES cells in culture and indicates that multiple human cell types may be enriched in
vitro by specific factors.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0027-8424
,
1091-6490
DOI:
10.1073/pnas.97.21.11307
Language:
English
Publisher:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publication Date:
2000
detail.hit.zdb_id:
209104-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1461794-8
SSG:
11
SSG:
12
