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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Identifying Cell Surface Markers of Primary Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells by Metabolic Labeling of Sialoglycan
Published on: September 7, 2019
Glycosphingolipids of human embryonic stem cells
Michael E Breimer1, Karin Säljö1, Angela Barone2
1Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
Abstract:
The application of human stem cell technology offers theoretically a great potential to treat various human diseases. However, to achieve this goal a large number of scientific issues remain to be solved. Cell surface carbohydrate antigens are involved in a number of biomedical phenomena that are important in clinical applications of stem cells, such as cell differentiation and immune reactivity. Due to their cell surface localization, carbohydrate epitopes are ideally suited for characterization of human pluripotent stem cells. Amongst the most commonly used markers to identify human pluripotent stem cells are the globo-series glycosphingolipids SSEA-3 and SSEA-4. However, our knowledge regarding human pluripotent stem cell glycosphingolipid expression was until recently mainly based on immunological assays of intact cells due to the very limited amounts of cell material available. In recent years the knowledge regarding glycosphingolipids in human embryonic stem cells has been extended by biochemical studies, which is the focus of this review. In addition, the distribution of the human pluripotent stem cell glycosphingolipids in human tissues, and glycosphingolipid changes during human stem cell differentiation, are discussed.
Insights
Human stem cell research shows potential for disease treatment. Cell surface carbohydrate antigens, like SSEA-3 and SSEA-4, are key markers for pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Stem Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human stem cell technology holds promise for treating diseases, but requires solving scientific challenges.
- Cell surface carbohydrate antigens play crucial roles in stem cell differentiation and immune reactivity.
- These carbohydrate epitopes are ideal for characterizing human pluripotent stem cells due to their surface localization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent biochemical studies expanding knowledge of glycosphingolipids in human embryonic stem cells.
- To discuss the distribution of human pluripotent stem cell glycosphingolipids in human tissues.
- To explore glycosphingolipid changes during human stem cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Focus on biochemical studies of glycosphingolipids in human embryonic stem cells.
- Analysis of cell surface carbohydrate antigens, including globo-series glycosphingolipids SSEA-3 and SSEA-4.
- Review of existing immunological assays and recent biochemical data.
Main Results:
- Recent biochemical studies have significantly advanced the understanding of human embryonic stem cell glycosphingolipids.
- Glycosphingolipid expression on human pluripotent stem cells is crucial for their characterization.
- SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 are identified as key markers for human pluripotent stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Biochemical studies are enhancing our understanding of glycosphingolipids in human stem cells.
- Further research into glycosphingolipid distribution and changes during differentiation is warranted.
- Characterizing cell surface glycosphingolipids is vital for the clinical application of stem cell technology.
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