title: Differentiation of rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells in three-dimensional collagen matrix.
abstract: During normal embryogenesis, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) reside in the context of complex three-dimensional tissue structures, in particular of extracellular matrices (ECMs), which determine cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Therefore, to study ESC differentiation in an in vivo-like microenvironment, three-dimensional culture systems are necessary. Here, we developed protocols for ESC cultures in three-dimensional systems consisting of collagen matrices (collagen gels and porous collagen sponges) to investigate the mechanisms of ESC differentiation as well as the formation of tissue-like structures. In collagen matrices, ESCs differentiate into neural, epithelial, and endothelial lineages. In this system, ESCs form various tissue-like structures. The abilities of ESCs to form such structures in two chemically similar but topologically different matrices are different. In particular, in collagen gels ESCs form gland-like circular structures, whereas in collagen sponges ESCs are scattered through the matrix and form aggregates. To mimic the in vivo situation further, we developed a protocol for co-cultures of ESCs with human dermal fibroblasts or keratinocytes in collagen matrixes. Co-culture with fibroblasts in collagen gel facilitates ESC differentiation into cells of a neural lineage expressing nestin, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and class III beta-tubulin. In collagen sponges, keratinocytes facilitated ESC differentiation into cells of an endothelial lineage expressing factor VIII. Thus, the developed protocols promote ESC differentiation into a particular lineage, accompanied by the formation of tissue-like structures. Three-dimensional culture systems are a valuable tool for directing ESC differentiation and the formation of organs and tissues.
authors.affiliation: NASA/NIH Center for Three Dimensional Tissue Culture, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecualr Biophysics, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Silvia Sihui
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Roberto P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Revoltella
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmerberg
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Margolis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003094:Collagen