Open AccessMedia composition modulates human embryonic stem cell morphology and may influence preferential lineage differentiation potential
Author(s) -
Linda Harkness,
Xiaoli Chen,
Marianne Gillard,
Peter P. Gray,
Anthony M. Davies
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0213678
Subject(s) - biology , ectoderm , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell , embryoid body , mesoderm , cellular differentiation , lineage (genetic) , lineage markers , stem cell , embryo , genetics , embryogenesis , adult stem cell , progenitor cell , gene
Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells have a distinct morphology (hESC). Changes in cell morphology during culture can be indicative of differentiation. hESC, maintained in diverse medias, demonstrated alterations in morphological parameters and subsequent alterations in underlying transcript expression and lineage differentiation. Analysis of morphological parameters showed distinct and significant differences between the undefined, less defined and Xeno-free medias while still maintaining pluripotency markers. This suggested that the less defined media may be creating dynamic instability in the cytoskeleton, with the cytoskeleton becoming more stabilised in the Xeno-free media as demonstrated by smaller and rounder cells. Examination of early lineage markers during undirected differentiation using d5 embryoid bodies demonstrated increased mesodermal lineage preference as compared to endodermal or ectoderm in cells originally cultured in Xeno-free media. Undefined media showed preference for mesoderm and ectoderm lineages, while less defined media (BSA present) demonstrated no preference. These data reveal that culture media may produce fundamental changes in cell morphology which are reflected in early lineage differentiation choice.