A continuum of cell states spans pluripotency and lineage commitment in human embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Commitment in embryonic stem cells is often depicted as a binary choice between alternate cell states, pluripotency and specification to a particular germ layer or extraembryonic lineage. However, close examination of human ES cell cultures has revealed significant heterogeneity in the stem cell compartment.

Methodology/principal findings

We isolated subpopulations of embryonic stem cells using surface markers, then examined their expression of pluripotency genes and lineage specific transcription factors at the single cell level, and tested their ability to regenerate colonies of stem cells. Transcript analysis of single embryonic stem cells showed that there is a gradient and a hierarchy of expression of pluripotency genes in the population. Even cells at the to

SUBMITTER: Hough SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2768791 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature