title: Culture development for human embryonic stem cell propagation: molecular aspects and challenges.
abstract: Basic fibroblast growth factor and members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily are important regulators of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) self-renewal. Extensive cross-talk between the intracellular signaling pathways activated by these factors contributes to maintenance of the undifferentiated hESC state. Understanding the molecular regulation of hESC self-renewal will facilitate the design of improved systems for hESC propagation and provide a foundation for strategies to direct the differentiation of hESCs to clinically relevant cell types.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Room 407, Roseburgh Building, 4 Taddle Creek Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Zandstra
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free / Q000494:pharmacology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D055457:Nodal Protein; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D006133:Growth Substances; C526007:NODAL protein, human; D055457:Nodal Protein; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D028341:Activins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors