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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

In Vitro Generation of Somite Derivatives from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: April 25, 2019
A somitic Wnt16/Notch pathway specifies haematopoietic stem cells
Wilson K Clements1, Albert D Kim, Karen G Ong
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0380, USA.
Wnt16 signaling controls a new network for specifying hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This pathway is crucial for generating blood and immune cells, offering potential for future HSC therapies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Stem cell biology
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are vital for lifelong blood and immune cell replenishment.
- Clinical HSC applications face challenges with cell numbers and donor compatibility.
- Generating HSCs from pluripotent stem cells requires understanding embryonic specification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate novel mechanisms governing HSC specification during embryonic development.
- To identify key genetic regulators involved in early HSC formation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized zebrafish as a model organism for studying embryonic development.
- Investigated the role of Wnt16 signaling in HSC specification.
- Analyzed gene expression patterns, including Notch ligands deltaC (dlc) and deltaD (dld).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that Wnt16 controls a novel genetic network essential for HSC specification.
- Showed Wnt16 non-canonical signaling is required for somitic expression of Notch ligands dlc and dld.
- Identified Notch signaling downstream of Dlc and Dld as critical for definitive haematopoiesis, preceding known cell-autonomous Notch requirements.
Conclusions:
- Wnt16-mediated signaling initiates a novel pathway for HSC specification.
- Somite-specific gene expression is indispensable for producing haemogenic endothelium.
- Novel Notch-dependent relay signals likely induce early HSCs in parallel to established pathways.
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