Functional evaluation of ES cell-derived endodermal populations reveals differences between Nodal and Activin A-guided differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Embryonic stem (ES) cells hold great promise with respect to their potential to be differentiated into desired cell types. Of interest are organs derived from the definitive endoderm, such as the pancreas and liver, and animal studies have revealed an essential role for Nodal in development of the definitive endoderm. Activin A is a related TGFβ member that acts through many of the same downstream signaling effectors as Nodal and is thought to mimic Nodal activity. Detailed characterization of ES cell-derived endodermal cell types by gene expression analysis in vitro and functional analysis in vivo reveal that, despite their similarity in gene expression, Nodal and Activin-derived endodermal cells exhibit a distinct difference in functional competence following transplantation into the dev

SUBMITTER: Chen AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3561793 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature