Generation and characterization of epiblast stem cells from blastocyst-stage mouse embryos

Mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are pluripotent embryonic cells that can be used to interrogate developmental transitions that occur during gastrulation. EpiSCs can also be robustly differentiated into functional somatic and germ cell derivatives making them a useful tool for studying development and regenerative medicine. Typically, mouse EpiSCs are isolated from the early postimplantation epiblast around 5.5 days post coitum (dpc). This chapter describes the methods for isolation of mouse EpiSCs from preimplantation blastocyst-stage mouse embryos (3.5 dpc). This technique enables the routine ability to derive EpiSC lines as it is much less labor intensive than isolation of EpiSCs from the postimplantation epiblast. We also detail relevant assays used to characterize new EpiSC lines and distinguish them from mouse embryonic stem cells.