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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
15:42
Xenotransplantation of Human Stem Cells into the Chicken Embryo
Published on: July 11, 2010
Chicken embryonic stem cells as a non-mammalian embryonic stem cell model
Fabrice Lavial1, Bertrand Pain
1Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, ENS Lyon, CNRS, UMR5242, INRA, UMR1288, F-69007 Lyon.
Development, Growth & Differentiation
|December 31, 2009
Summary
Researchers isolated chicken embryonic stem cells (cESCs) and identified key genes, like Oct4 and Nanog, crucial for maintaining pluripotency in non-mammalian species. This advances understanding of stem cell biology beyond mammals.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Comparative Genomics
Background:
- Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from mice, primates, and humans possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities.
- Chicken embryonic stem cells (cESCs) have been isolated and characterized, but their relationship with germ cells is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize chicken embryonic stem cells (cESCs).
- To investigate the role of specific genes in maintaining pluripotency in avian species.
- To explore the potential for new cell types and reprogramming in birds.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and in vitro culture of early chicken blastodermal cells (cBCs).
- Characterization of cESCs based on morphology, biochemistry, and differentiation potential.
- Cloning of avian homologues of mammalian pluripotency genes (Oct4, Nanog).
Main Results:
- Established and characterized cESCs with self-renewal and differentiation potential.
- Identified the avian Oct4 homologue and chicken Nanog gene as critical for pluripotency maintenance.
- Provided evidence for conserved mechanisms of pluripotency control across species.
Conclusions:
- Chicken embryonic stem cells share functional similarities with mammalian ESCs.
- Avian Oct4 and Nanog genes play key roles in establishing and maintaining pluripotency.
- This research opens avenues for avian stem cell applications and understanding reprogramming.
Related Concept Videos
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...