Establishment of porcine and human expanded potential stem cells

Nat Cell Biol. 2019 Jun;21(6):687-699. doi: 10.1038/s41556-019-0333-2. Epub 2019 Jun 3.

Abstract

We recently derived mouse expanded potential stem cells (EPSCs) from individual blastomeres by inhibiting the critical molecular pathways that predispose their differentiation. EPSCs had enriched molecular signatures of blastomeres and possessed developmental potency for all embryonic and extra-embryonic cell lineages. Here, we report the derivation of porcine EPSCs, which express key pluripotency genes, are genetically stable, permit genome editing, differentiate to derivatives of the three germ layers in chimeras and produce primordial germ cell-like cells in vitro. Under similar conditions, human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells can be converted, or somatic cells directly reprogrammed, to EPSCs that display the molecular and functional attributes reminiscent of porcine EPSCs. Importantly, trophoblast stem-cell-like cells can be generated from both human and porcine EPSCs. Our pathway-inhibition paradigm thus opens an avenue for generating mammalian pluripotent stem cells, and EPSCs present a unique cellular platform for translational research in biotechnology and regenerative medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastomeres / cytology
  • Blastomeres / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Cellular Reprogramming / genetics*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Germ Layers / growth & development
  • Germ Layers / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Swine
  • Trophoblasts / cytology
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism