Open AccessDifferences between karyotypically normal and abnormal human embryonic stem cells
Author(s) -
Yang S.,
Lin G.,
Tan Y.Q.,
Deng L.Y.,
Yuan D.,
Lu G.X.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cell proliferation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.647
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-2184
pISSN - 0960-7722
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2010.00669.x
Subject(s) - biology , embryonic stem cell , karyotype , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , population , cellular differentiation , gene , genetics , chromosome , demography , sociology
Objectives: To compare different biological characteristics of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) between those with normal and those with abnormal karyotype. Materials and methods: Culture‐adapted HESCs ( ch HES‐3) with abnormal karyotype were compared with karyotypically normal cells, with regard to pluripotency and differentiation capacity, ultrastructure, growth characteristics, gene expression profiles and signalling pathways. Results: We found a new abnormal karyotype of HESCs. We observed that ch HES‐3 cells with normal and abnormal karyotypes shared similarities in expression markers of pluripotency; however, karyotypically abnormal ch HES‐3 cells had a tendency for differentiation towards ectoderm lineages and were easily maintained in suboptimal culturing conditions. Abnormal ch HES‐3 cells displayed relatively mature cell organelles compared to normal cells, and karyotypically abnormal ch HES‐3 cells had increased survival and population growth. Genes related to cell proliferation and apoptosis were up‐regulated, but genes associated with genetic instability ( p53 , Rb , BRCA1 ) were down‐regulated in the karyotypically abnormal cells. Conclusion: Karyotypically abnormal ch HES‐3 cells had a more developed capacity for proliferation, resistance to apoptosis and less genetic stability compared to normal ch HES‐3 cells and may be an excellent model for studying and characterizing initial stages that determine transition of embryonic stem cells into cancer stem cells.