Author/Editor		Dzobo, Kevin; Vogelsang, Matjaž; Parker, M. Iqbal
Title		Wnt/[beta]-catenin and MEK-ERK signaling are required for fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix-mediated endoderm differentiation of embryonic stem cells
Type		članek
Publication year		2015
ISSN		1550-8943 - Stem cell reviews
Language		eng
Abstract		Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to differentiate into all cells of the three germ layers, thus making them an attractive source of cells for use in regenerative medicine. The greatest challenge lies in regulating the differentiation of hESCs into specific cell lineages by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In this study we determined the effect of a fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (fd-ECM) on hESCs differentiation. We demonstrate that growth of hESCs on fd-ECM results in hESCs losing their stemness and proliferation potential. As the stem cells differentiate they attain gene expression profiles similar to the primitive streak of the in vivo embryo. The activation of both the MEK-ERK and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways is required for the fd-ECM-mediated differentiation of hESCs towards the endoderm and involves integrins alpha1, alpha2, alpha3 and beta1. This study illustrates the importance of the cellular microenvironment in directing stem cell fate and that the nature and composition of the extracellular matrix is a crucial determining factor.
Keywords		stem cells regenerative medicine extracellular matrix matične celice regenerativna medicina zunajceličnegi matriks