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Generation of Aggregates of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells that Show Symmetry Breaking, Polarization and Emergent Collective Behaviour In Vitro
Published on: November 24, 2015
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In vitro generation of mouse morula-like cells.
Huanhuan Li1, Litao Chang2, Jinyi Wu2
1Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510005, China; Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510005, China.
Developmental Cell
|October 24, 2023
Summary
Researchers generated mouse transient morula-like cells (MLCs) that mimic early embryo cells. These MLCs can efficiently form blastoids and embryoids, offering new possibilities for developmental biology research.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cellular Reprogramming
Background:
- Generating cells with full developmental potential is a key challenge in biology.
- Existing methods using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate novel cells in vitro with properties of early embryo cells.
- To assess the developmental potential and lineage commitment of these generated cells.
Main Methods:
- Manipulation of signaling pathways to induce transient morula-like cells (MLCs) from mouse cells.
- Transcriptomic analysis to compare MLCs with natural embryo cells and ESCs.
- Chimeric analysis by introducing MLCs into host morulae.
Main Results:
- MLCs were generated in vitro and are molecularly distinct from ESCs, resembling 8- to 16-cell stage embryo cells.
- A single MLC can generate a blastoid, with 80% efficiency using 8-10 MLCs.
- MLC-derived embryoids at 4-5 days contain early gastrulation cell types.
- MLCs integrated into blastocyst chimeras and differentiated into epiblast, primitive endoderm, and trophectoderm lineages.
Conclusions:
- Successfully generated transient morula-like cells (MLCs) with characteristics of early embryonic precursors.
- MLCs demonstrate significant potential for generating blastoids and embryoids efficiently.
- MLCs can contribute to all three primary germ layers in vivo, indicating functional similarity to natural embryo cells.
