Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Differentiation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells Using the BMP Antagonist Grem2
08:52

Differentiation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells Using the BMP Antagonist Grem2

Published on: March 10, 2016

The disparate role of BMP in stem cell biology

Alison C Varga1, Jeffrey L Wrana

  • 1Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada.

Oncogene
|August 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are key regulators of stem cell fate. This review explores BMP signaling in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), and their links to cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Cancer research
  • Molecular signaling pathways

Background:

  • Stem cells share traits with cancer cells, such as immortality and loss of contact inhibition.
  • Stem cells serve as a model for understanding cancer development.
  • Leukemia inhibitory factor, Wnt, and FGF pathways are known regulators of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in stem cell fate.
  • To compare BMP signaling in mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with neural crest stem cells (NCSCs).
  • To discuss the potential of BMP signaling molecular effectors as therapeutic targets in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on BMP signaling in stem cells.
  • Comparative analysis of BMP roles in ESCs and NCSCs.
  • Exploration of molecular mechanisms linking BMP signaling to cancer.

Main Results:

  • BMPs are emerging as critical regulators of stem cell fate commitment.
  • BMPs exhibit distinct roles in ESCs versus NCSCs.
  • BMPs inhibit neural differentiation in both mouse and human ESCs but promote self-renewal specifically in mouse ESCs.
  • Extracellular factors and intracellular pathway crosstalk precisely define stem cell fate.

Conclusions:

  • BMP signaling plays a complex and context-dependent role in stem cell fate.
  • Understanding BMP pathway effectors in stem cells may reveal new therapeutic strategies for cancer.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Transforming Growth Factor ß Family Cleavage Products Secreted Into the Blastocoele of Xenopus laevis Embryos06:57

Analysis of Transforming Growth Factor ß Family Cleavage Products Secreted Into the Blastocoele of Xenopus laevis Embryos

Published on: July 21, 2021

Covalent Binding of BMP-2 on Surfaces Using a Self-assembled Monolayer Approach10:23

Covalent Binding of BMP-2 on Surfaces Using a Self-assembled Monolayer Approach

Published on: August 26, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:19

Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
Maintenance of the ES Cell State01:14

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
Production of Formed Elements01:34

Production of Formed Elements

Hemangioblasts are multipotent stem cells originating from the mesoderm. They give rise to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which undergo hematopoiesis to produce all the formed elements of blood. This process is regulated by a complex network of hematopoietic growth factors, including transcription factors, growth factors, and cytokines. These factors stimulate the HSCs to divide and differentiate, though some HSCs remain undifferentiated to maintain a self-renewing pool.
Most HSCs commit to...