title: WNT signaling in stem cell differentiation and tumor formation.
abstract: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) hold great therapeutic promise for the regeneration of functional cell types and clinical applications. However, tumorigenic potential of stem cells in a transplanted host remains a major obstacle. In this issue of the JCI, Cui and colleagues identified TCF7-mediated canonical WNT signaling as a critical determinant of both the tumorigenicity and therapeutic function of ESC-derived retinal progenitor cells (ESC-RPCs). Their findings suggested that addressing key extracellular signaling and related intrinsic factors will be essential for the successful use of ESC-derived progenitor transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Yehong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhuo
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway