FGF4-dependent stem cells derived from rat blastocysts differentiate along the trophoblast lineage.

ABSTRACT: Differentiated trophoblast cell lineages arise from trophoblast stem (TS) cells. To date such a stem cell population has only been established in the mouse. The objective of this investigation was to establish TS cell populations from rat blastocysts. Blastocysts were cultured individually on a feeder layer of rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) in fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF4) and heparin supplemented culture medium. Once cell colonies were established REF feeder layers could be replaced with REF conditioned medium. The blastocyst-derived cell lines, in either proliferative or differentiated states, did not express genes indicative of ICM-derived tissues. In the proliferative state the cells expressed established stem cell-associated markers of TS cells. Cells ceased proliferation and di

SUBMITTER: Asanoma K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3039089 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature