Derivation, growth and applications of human embryonic stem cells

Abstract

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass cells of blastocysts with the potential to maintain an undifferentiated state indefinitely. Fully characterised hES cell lines express typical stem cell markers, possess high levels of telomerase activity, show normal karyotype and have the potential to differentiate into numerous cell types under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Therefore, hES cells are potentially valuable for the development of cell transplantation therapies for the treatment of various human diseases. However, there are a number of factors which may limit the medical application of hES cells: (a) continuous culture of hES cells in an undifferentiated state requires the presence of feeder layers and animal-based ingredients which incurs a risk of cross-transfer of pathogens; (b) hES cells demonstrate high genomic instability and non-predictable differentiation after long-term growth; and (c) differentiated hES cells express molecules which could cause immune rejection. In this review we summarise recent progress in the derivation and growth of undifferentiated hES cells and their differentiated progeny, and the problems associated with these techniques. We also examine the potential use of the therapeutic cloning technique to derive isogenic hES cells.

Modeling the Prostate Stem Cell Niche: An Evaluation of Stem Cell Survival and Expansion In Vitro

“…Growth in 3D, from CD133 + cells, was only observed at high plating densities; however, PSCs were not maintained by this culture system. Our results are consistent with nonadherent embryonic stem (ES) culture, in which differentiation is induced in 3D, whereas pluripotency is maintained when the cells are grown in monolayer with feeders [25].…”

Cell cycle dependent phosphorylation and subnuclear organization of the histone gene regulator p220NPAT in human embryonic stem cells

“…The unique proliferative properties of human ES cells may be related to a naïve transcriptome which is dedicated to self-propagation through mitotic cell division and sustenance of a pluripotent uncommitted state (Thomson et al, 1998;Amit et al, 2000;Pera et al, 2000;Bhattacharya et al, 2004;Brandenberger et al, 2004;Miura et al, 2004;Rao et al, 2004;Boyer et al, 2005;Wei et al, 2005). Defining the molecular basis of pluripotency and the capability of human ES cells for self renewal is critical for the rational design of biomedical applications of human ES cells as a cellular source for tissue replacement (Carpenter et al, 2003;Sato et al, 2003;Heins et al, 2004;Stojkovic et al, 2004;Zwaka and Thomson, 2005).…”

Expression of scleraxis and tenascin C in equine adipose and umbilical cord blood derived stem cells is dependent upon substrata and FGF supplementation

“…AdMSC proliferate more rapidly than UCB regardless of the surface substrate (Reed and Johnson 2012), suggesting a difference in regenerative capabilities as more plastic stem cells often have longer population doubling times than more differentiated cells (Stojkovic et al 2004). Adipose derived mononuclear cells were capable of improving tendon architecture but not biomechanical properties in a collagenase induced lesion of the SDFT (Nixon et al 2008).…”