title: Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in serum-free medium reveals distinct roles for bone morphogenetic protein 4, vascular endothelial growth factor, stem cell factor, and fibroblast growth factor 2 in hematopoiesis.
abstract: We have utilized a serum- and stromal cell-free "spin embryoid body (EB)" differentiation system to investigate the roles of four growth factors, bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stem cell factor (SCF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), singly and in combination, on the generation of hematopoietic cells from human embryonic stem cells (HESCs). Of the four factors, only BMP4 induced expression of genes that signaled the emergence of the primitive streak-like population required for the subsequent development of hematopoietic mesoderm. In addition, BMP4 initiated the expression of genes marking hematopoietic mesoderm and supported the generation of hematopoietic progenitor cells at a low frequency. However, the appearance of robust numbers of hematopoietic colony forming cells and their mature progeny required the inclusion of VEGF. Finally, the combination of BMP4, VEGF, SCF, and FGF2 further enhanced the total yield of hematopoietic cells. These data demonstrate the utility of the serum-free spin EB system in dissecting the roles of specific growth factors required for the directed differentiation of HESCs toward the hematopoietic lineage.
authors.affiliation: Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pick
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azzola
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mossman
authors.forename: Edouard G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Elefanty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D054240:Primitive Streak / Q000378:metabolism; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C525809:BMP4 protein, human; C525810:Bmp4 protein, mouse; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D004338:Drug Combinations; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C499230:MIXL1 protein, human; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2