Mapping molecular landmarks of human skeletal ontogeny and pluripotent stem cell-derived articular chondrocytes.

ABSTRACT: Tissue-specific gene expression defines cellular identity and function, but knowledge of early human development is limited, hampering application of cell-based therapies. Here we profiled 5 distinct cell types at a single fetal stage, as well as chondrocytes at 4 stages in vivo and 2 stages during in vitro differentiation. Network analysis delineated five tissue-specific gene modules; these modules and chromatin state analysis defined broad similarities in gene expression during cartilage specification and maturation in vitro and in vivo, including early expression and progressive silencing of muscle- and bone-specific genes. Finally, ontogenetic analysis of freshly isolated and pluripotent stem cell-derived articular chondrocytes identified that integrin alpha 4 defines 2 subsets of func

SUBMITTER: Ferguson GB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6128860 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature