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Ultrastructural and molecular distinctions between the porcine inner cell mass and epiblast reveal unique pluripotent cell states
Author(s) -
Hall Vanessa J.,
Jacobsen Janus V.,
Rasmussen Mikkel A.,
Hyttel Poul
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.22424
Subject(s) - epiblast , biology , inner cell mass , microbiology and biotechnology , embryoid body , induced pluripotent stem cell , blastocyst , embryonic stem cell , gastrulation , genetics , embryo , embryogenesis , gene
Characterization of the pluripotent cell populations within the porcine embryo is essential for understanding pluripotency and self‐renewal regulation in the inner cell mass (ICM) and epiblast. In this study, we perform detailed ultrastructural and molecular characterization of the developing pluripotent cell population as it develops from the ICM to the late epiblast. The ultrastructural observations revealed that the outer cells of the ICM have a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio but are transcriptionally inactive and contain mitochondria with few cristae. In contrast, the epiblast cells have a reduced nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, are more transcriptionally active, and contain abundant cellular organelles. This study also revealed cavitation and potential unfolding of the epiblast. As the ICM forms the epiblast, SSEA1 is lost and VIMENTIN is lost and re‐expressed. The D6 blastocyst expressed high levels of STELLA, TERF1 , and GDF3 , and the epiblast expressed epithelial markers, MUC1 and E‐CADHERIN , and the pluripotency markers, DNMT3B and CRIPTO . Developmental Dynamics 239:2911–2920, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.