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Heterogeneity in Epiblast Stem Cells

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Stem Cells Heterogeneity - Novel Concepts

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1123))

Abstract

Epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are pluripotent cells that are derived from mouse embryos at gastrulation stages. They represent the primed state of pluripotency, in which cells are on the verge of differentiation and already express markers of the three primary lineages (mesoderm, endoderm, neurectoderm). EpiSCs display some heterogeneity intra- and inter-cell lines in the expression of some of these lineage markers. We relate this heterogeneity to signalling pathways that are active in EpiSCs, either due to addition of growth factors (FGF2 and activin) in the culture medium, or endogenously active (FGF, Nodal, and Wnt). By modulating Wnt or activin/nodal pathways, cell lines close to EpiSCs but with different properties can be obtained. These signalling pathways are all at work in vivo to pattern the pluripotent epiblast and specify cellular fates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France

    Alice Jouneau

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  1. Alice Jouneau
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Correspondence to Alice Jouneau .

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  1. Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Alexander Birbrair

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Jouneau, A. (2019). Heterogeneity in Epiblast Stem Cells. In: Birbrair, A. (eds) Stem Cells Heterogeneity - Novel Concepts. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1123. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11096-3_2

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