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Embryonic stem cells are derived from the germ‐line lineage
Author(s) -
Zwaka Thomas P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.303.2
Subject(s) - epiblast , embryonic stem cell , biology , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , germ layer , population , lineage (genetic) , germ cell , reprogramming , cell culture , cellular differentiation , cell , genetics , induced pluripotent stem cell , gastrulation , gene , medicine , environmental health
A longstanding controversy in stem cell biology is whether ES cell lines represent a bona fide embryonic cell type or perhaps arise solely as artifacts generated by the tissue culture environment. Currently, most research groups assume that ES cell lines are the equivalent of ICM or epiblast cells, a view that has gradually become dogma and has greatly influenced past and present studies with these cells. I will present results which suggest an alternative hypothesis, that ES cells represent primordial germ cells (PGCs) rather then common ICM derivatives. In strict lineage tracing experiments, we identified a small population of cells that is set aside early during ES cell derivation and is the only part of the ICM outgrowth that contributes to the generation of mouse ES cells. This observation closely mimics events during embryonic development in vivo. Subsequent functional tests showed unequivocally that the “set‐aside” cells are in fact PGCs. Thus, our findings challenge the prevailing view that ES cells in culture are true replicas of preimplantation ICM or epiblast cells in vivo.