Direct synthesis of self-organized blastocyst-like cysts derived from human pluripotent stem cells

Abstract

We introduce a simple, robust and scalable method to generate self-organized blastocyst-like cysts (soBLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). We use a copolymer hydrogel of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PNIPAAm-PEG). hPSC aggregates with a diameter of approximately 117.2 ± 5.1 µm are cultured in a medium supplemented with a hydrogel and a serum for three days. Molecular signatures in the medium revealed the generation of trophoblasts and inner cell mass at specific positions in the soBLCs.

Synthetic embryology: Early mammalian embryo modeling systems from cell cultures

“…This event has drawn many TA B L E 1 Synthetic embryo system features and functions Note: The various SESs detailed in this review are referenced and organized, and specific features or functions (left) are marked with an "X." Beccari et al, 2018W armflash et al, 2014Harrison et al, 2017Sozen et al, 2018Buhl et al, 2009V rij et al, 2019Li et al, 2019Sozen et al, 2019Kime et al, 2016S hao et al, 2017Wen et al, 2019 developmental biologists' attention for investigations at the molecular level (e.g., Maitre et al, 2016;Rossant & Tam, 2009)). Currently, two models explain the molecular mechanism of this specification, although they are not mutually exclusive.…”

“…Another group working specifically with human PSCs, induced post‐implantation human embryonic amniotic sac structures (Shao et al., 2017), which they improved with scalable microfluidics chamber control that enabled specific posteriorized and anteriorized embryo‐like sacs (Zheng et al., 2019). Such excitement for synthetic embryos in high throughput engineering environments has continued with blastocyst‐like cysts from human PSCs (Wen et al., 2019).…”