title: Conversion of primordial germ cells to pluripotent stem cells: methods for cell tracking and culture conditions.
abstract: Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are unipotent cells committed to germ lineage: PGCs can only differentiate into gametes in vivo. However, upon fertilization, germ cells acquire the capacity to differentiate into all cell types in the body, including germ cells. Therefore, germ cells are thought to have the potential for pluripotency. PGCs can convert to pluripotent stem cells in vitro when cultured under specific conditions that include bFGF, LIF, and the membrane-bound form of SCF (mSCF). Here, the culture conditions which efficiently convert PGCs to pluripotent embryonic germ (EG) cells are described, as well as methods used for identifying pluripotent candidate cells during culture.
authors: The Sakaguchi Laboratory, Department of Cell Differentiation, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Go
authors: G
authors: Nagamatsu
authors: Toshio
authors: T
authors: Suda
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases