title: Activin A can induce definitive endoderm differentiation from human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As activin/nodal signaling plays a key role in definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation, we have explored activin A-induced differentiation of DE from human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of 5 ng activin A/ml had no effect on the expression of markers of DE differentiation. However, higher concentrations of activin A (50 and 100 ng/ml) upregulated Sox17 and Cxcr4, as well upregulating the mesendodermal precursor marker, Brachyury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that low dose activin A can maintain the undifferentiated potency of hPESCs, whereas higher doses induce DE differentiation; 50 ng/ml is the optimal concentration for inducing DE from hPESCs.
authors: Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, People's Republic of China.
authors: Zhiqiang
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Wenliang
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: Tianxing
authors: T
authors: Chen
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Zhengqi
authors: Z
authors: Wen
authors: Xinmin
authors: X
authors: Yan
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Shen
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Liang
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D004707:Endoderm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000032:analysis; D055760:SOXF Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D000098908:Brachyury Protein
chemical_list: D028341:Activins; D015415:Biomarkers; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D055760:SOXF Transcription Factors; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098908:Brachyury Protein; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; C109188:SOX17 protein, human; C422405:activin A