Characteristics and Characterization of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Publisher Summary There are a number of human pluripotent cell populations that can be generated both from embryonic cell sources, and via reprogramming techniques. Pluripotent stem cells are defined as cells that have the capacity to differentiate into all three germ layers, specifically: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, which can give rise to all cell types of the body. This chapter discusses the different pluripotent stem cell populations that have similarities and differences. These cell populations can be derived from embryonic tissue sources such as the inner cell mass, the epiblast, and primordial germ cells, or they can be induced by reprogramming using somatic cell nuclear transfer, or the introduction of pluripotency genes into somatic cells. These different cell populations show similarities in expression of surface markers and transcription factors associated with pluripotency. It remains unclear whether these markers will be predictive of the differentiative capacity of the pluripotent cells. Current efforts are directed toward identifying a molecular signature that can be used prospectively to identify pluripotent cell populations. Continued characterization of the existing and newly created pluripotent cell populations is required to understand the mechanisms involved in retaining the undifferentiated state of these cells, as well as the mechanisms involved in differentiation.