Review: the transcriptional and signalling networks of mouse trophoblast stem cells.
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) are a self-renewing stem cell population derived from the early trophoblast lineage, analogous to embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that can be generated from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the mouse blastocyst. In that sense TSCs and ESCs reflect the earliest lineage differentiation event after fertilization. TSCs are characterized by an indefinite proliferation potential and by multipotency, i.e. the ability to differentiate into all the various trophoblast cell types of the placenta. These properties are driven by specific signalling pathways orchestrating characteristic transcriptional outputs. Here we review the recent advances in studying the signalling cascades and the transcriptional regulatory networks that define specification and maintenance of TSCs, and provide a future outlook of TSC research.
Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. Electronic address: myriam.hemberger@babraham.ac.uk.
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D000818:Animals; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D014157:Transcription Factors
Epigenetics; Lineage fate commitment; Signalling networks; Transcription factors; Trophoblast stem cells