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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells
08:21

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells

Published on: March 16, 2017

Bone morphogenetic proteins induce germ cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells.

Kehkooi Kee1, Joanna M Gonsalves, Amander T Clark

  • 1UCSF Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Institute for Stem Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.

Stem Cells and Development
|January 27, 2007
PubMed
Summary

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Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) promote human germ cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells. BMP4, BMP7, and BMP8b enhance the expression of germ cell markers, aiding in the development of primordial germ cells.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are crucial for primordial germ cell (PGC) specification in mice.
  • Human BMP4 has shown potential in promoting PGC differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells and in organ cultures.
  • The role of recombinant human BMPs in inducing germ cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of recombinant human BMPs (specifically BMP4, BMP7, and BMP8b) to induce germ cell differentiation from hESCs.
  • To assess the expression of germ cell-specific markers following BMP treatment during hESC differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were differentiated into embryoid bodies (EBs).

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Generation of Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells at the Surface of Embryoid Bodies from Primed-pluripotency Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
12:06

Generation of Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells at the Surface of Embryoid Bodies from Primed-pluripotency Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: January 11, 2019

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Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells
08:21

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells

Published on: March 16, 2017

Generation of Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells at the Surface of Embryoid Bodies from Primed-pluripotency Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
12:06

Generation of Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells at the Surface of Embryoid Bodies from Primed-pluripotency Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: January 11, 2019

  • Recombinant human BMP4, BMP7, and BMP8b were added to the differentiation media.
  • Expression of germ cell-specific markers, VASA and SYCP3, was analyzed.
  • The percentage of VASA-positive cells was quantified.

    • Main Results:

    • Recombinant human BMP4 significantly increased the expression of VASA and SYCP3 during hESC differentiation into EBs.
    • BMP7 and BMP8b demonstrated additive effects on germ cell induction when used in combination with BMP4.
    • BMP treatment led to a higher percentage of VASA-positive cells in differentiating hESCs.

    Conclusions:

    • Recombinant human BMPs, particularly BMP4, can enhance the differentiation of germ cells from hESCs.
    • BMP7 and BMP8b may act synergistically with BMP4 to promote germ cell induction.
    • While modest, the effects of BMPs are reproducible and suggest their utility in directed germ cell differentiation protocols.