title: A simple tool to improve pluripotent stem cell differentiation.
abstract: We describe a method to help overcome restrictions on the differentiation propensities of human pluripotent stem cells. Culturing pluripotent stem cells in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) activates the retinoblastoma protein, increases the proportion of cells in the early G1 phase of the cell cycle and, in more than 25 embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines, improves directed differentiation into multiple lineages. DMSO treatment also improves differentiation into terminal cell types in several cell lines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Sundari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chetty
authors.forename: Felicia Walton
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Pagliuca
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Honore
authors.forename: Anastasie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kweudjeu
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezania
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Melton
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide