Metabolic patterns predispose human pluripotent stem cells to spatial organization of cell fate.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

During embryogenesis, specific morphogen gradients are essential for inducing tissue pattern formation. In two-dimensional (2D) human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture, distinct patterns can emerge in hPSC colonies without external morphogen gradients, implying that critical intrinsic factors may induce spatial organization. However, studying the mechanism is challenging due to the lack of efficient spatial labels.

Methods

We employed the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) probe JC-1 to stain and track cells within hPSC colonies. Using this tool, we assessed metabolic patterns under different culture coatings and manipulated pathways using mTOR and ROCK inhibitors.

Results

We identified JC-1 as a durable spatial tracker, revealing a clear metabolic

SUBMITTER: Deng C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12808486 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature