| First Author | Alexandrova S | Year | 2016 |
| Journal | Development | Volume | 143 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 24-34 |
| PubMed ID | 26586221 | Mgi Jnum | J:240013 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5882190 | Doi | 10.1242/dev.124602 |
| Citation | Alexandrova S, et al. (2016) Selection and dynamics of embryonic stem cell integration into early mouse embryos. Development 143(1):24-34 |
| abstractText | The process by which pluripotent cells incorporate into host embryos is of interest to investigate cell potency and cell fate decisions. Previous studies suggest that only a minority of the embryonic stem cell (ESC) inoculum contributes to the adult chimaera. How incoming cells are chosen for integration or elimination remains unclear. By comparing a heterogeneous mix of undifferentiated and differentiating ESCs (serum/LIF) with more homogeneous undifferentiated culture (2i/LIF), we examine the role of cellular heterogeneity in this process. Time-lapse ex vivo imaging revealed a drastic elimination of serum/LIF ESCs during early development in comparison with 2i/LIF ESCs. Using a fluorescent reporter for naive pluripotency (Rex1-GFP), we established that the acutely eliminated serum/LIF ESCs had started to differentiate. The rejected cells were apparently killed by apoptosis. We conclude that a selection process exists by which unwanted differentiating cells are eliminated from the embryo. However, occasional Rex1(-) cells were able to integrate. Upregulation of Rex1 occurred in a proportion of these cells, reflecting the potential of the embryonic environment to expedite diversion from differentiation priming to enhance the developing embryonic epiblast. |
