Stepwise differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into osteoblasts using four small molecules under serum-free and feeder-free conditions

Stem Cell Reports. 2014 May 22;2(6):751-60. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.04.016. eCollection 2014 Jun 3.

Abstract

Pluripotent stem cells are a promising tool for mechanistic studies of tissue development, drug screening, and cell-based therapies. Here, we report an effective and mass-producing strategy for the stepwise differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs and hiPSCs, respectively) into osteoblasts using four small molecules (CHIR99021 [CHIR], cyclopamine [Cyc], smoothened agonist [SAG], and a helioxanthin-derivative 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrido[4',3':4,5]thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxamide [TH]) under serum-free and feeder-free conditions. The strategy, which consists of mesoderm induction, osteoblast induction, and osteoblast maturation phases, significantly induced expressions of osteoblast-related genes and proteins in mESCs, miPSCs, and hiPSCs. In addition, when mESCs defective in runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), a master regulator of osteogenesis, were cultured by the strategy, they molecularly recapitulated osteoblast phenotypes of Runx2 null mice. The present strategy will be a platform for biological and pathological studies of osteoblast development, screening of bone-augmentation drugs, and skeletal regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free / pharmacology*
  • Cyclohexylamines / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Osteoblasts / cytology*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology
  • Veratrum Alkaloids / pharmacology

Substances

  • Chir 99021
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Cyclohexylamines
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrimidines
  • SAG compound
  • Thiophenes
  • Veratrum Alkaloids
  • cyclopamine