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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C
Published on: June 1, 2018
Requirement of leukemia inhibitory factor for establishing and maintaining embryonic stem cells in mice
Jae Hee Lee1, Eun Ju Lee2, Chae Hyun Lee1
1Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
To evaluate the necessity of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in establishing and self-renewing embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
Design:
Prospective animal model study.
Setting:
Gamete and Stem Cell Biotechnology Laboratory, Seoul National University, Korea.
Animal(S):
F1 hybrid B6D2F1 mice.
Intervention(S):
Inner cell mass (ICM) cells of blastocysts were cultured or commercially available ESCs were maintained in LIF-free or LIF-containing medium on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Cell morphology, LIF concentration, and mRNA expression.
Result(S):
The MEFs themselves secreted 146.5-175.3 pg/mL LIF in LIF-free medium. The ICM cells formed ESC-like colonies on MEF feeder, and E14 and R1 ESCs were successfully maintained in LIF-free medium. Expression of the genes either mediating LIF function or regulating stemness was not altered significantly, and change in the growth of ESCs was not prominent in LIF-free medium. Neither mRNA expression of differentiation-related genes nor differentiation into embryoid body was changed in the ESCs.
Conclusion(S):
Addition of LIF to culture medium is not necessary for establishing ICM-derived ESC-like colonies in the presence of fibroblast monolayer, and established ESCs can be maintained in an LIF-free medium.
