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Embryonic stem-cell culture as a tool for developmental cell biology

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 8, pages 502–507 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

The cell biology of the early processes of mammalian embryogenesis, such as germ-layer formation, has been technically challenging to study owing to the size and accessibility of mammalian embryos. Embryonic stem cells, which can generate the three germ layers in vitro, are useful for studying embryogenesis at the cellular level. So, how can the study of embryonic stem cells and their differentiation provide a deeper understanding of the cell biology of early development?

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Figure 1: Derivation of embryonic stem cells.
Figure 2: Comparison of three protocols for ES-cell differentiation culture.
Figure 3: Relationships between a set of ES-derived cells and embryonically derived cells.

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Acknowledgements

The work of the Laboratory of Stem Cell Research is supported by grants from the Leading Project for Realization of Regenerative Medicine.

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  1. Shin-Ichi Nishikawa, Lars Martin Jakt and Takumi Era are at the Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Center for Developmental Biology, Minatojima Minamimachi 2-2-3, Chuoku, Kobe, 650-0047 Japan.,

    Shin-Ichi Nishikawa, Lars Martin Jakt & Takumi Era

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Correspondence to Shin-Ichi Nishikawa.

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Glossary

Embryonic carcinoma

A type of testicular cancer that maintains the potential to give rise to mature tissues.

Mesoderm

The middle germ layer of the developing embryo that occupies an intermediate position between the ectoderm and the endoderm. It gives rise to the skeleton, muscles and connective tissue.

Pluripotent

Embryonic stem cells that are able to form all of the cell lineages of the body, including germ cells, and some or even all extra-embryonic cell types.

Polycomb

A class of proteins — originally described in Drosophila melanogaster — that maintains the stable and heritable repression of several genes.

Primitive endoderm

The extra-embryonic tissue that gives rise to the visceral and parietal endoderm; it diverges directly from the inner cell mass to form the outer layer of the embryo.

Teratoma

Tumours that contain various differentiated cells from all three primary germ layers.

Trophectoderm

The outer layer of the blastocyst.

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Nishikawa, SI., Jakt, L. & Era, T. Embryonic stem-cell culture as a tool for developmental cell biology. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 8, 502–507 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm2189

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