WNT3 is a biomarker capable of predicting the definitive endoderm differentiation potential of hESCs.
Abstract
Generation of functional cells from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) through in vitro
differentiation is a promising approach for drug screening and cell therapy. However,
the observed large and unavoidable variation in the differentiation potential of different
human embryonic stem cell (hESC)/induced PSC (iPSC) lines makes the selection of an
appropriate cell line for the differentiation of a particular cell lineage difficult.
Here, we report identification of WNT3 as a biomarker capable of predicting definitive
endoderm (DE) differentiation potential of hESCs. We show that the mRNA level of WNT3
in hESCs correlates with their DE differentiation efficiency. In addition, manipulations
of hESCs through WNT3 knockdown or overexpression can respectively inhibit or promote
DE differentiation in a WNT3 level-dependent manner. Finally, analysis of several
hESC lines based on their WNT3 expression levels allowed accurate prediction of their
DE differentiation potential. Collectively, our study supports the notion that WNT3
can serve as a biomarker for predicting DE differentiation potential of hESCs.
Type
Journal articleSubject
BiomarkersCell Differentiation
Cell Lineage
Cells, Cultured
Embryonic Stem Cells
Endoderm
Humans
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
RNA, Messenger
Wnt3 Protein
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/8425Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1016/j.stemcr.2013.03.003Publication Info
Jiang, Wei; Zhang, Donghui; Bursac, Nenad; & Zhang, Yi (2013). WNT3 is a biomarker capable of predicting the definitive endoderm differentiation
potential of hESCs. Stem Cell Reports, 1(1). pp. 46-52. 10.1016/j.stemcr.2013.03.003. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/8425.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Nenad Bursac
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Bursac's research interests include: Stem cell, tissue engineering, and gene based
therapies for heart and muscle regeneration; Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias;
Organ-on-chip and tissue engineering technologies for disease modeling and therapeutic
screening; Small and large animal models of heart and muscle injury, disease, and
regeneration.
The focus of my research is on application of pluripotent stem cells, tissue engineering,
and gene therapy technologies for: 1) basic s

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