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Exploring the Link Between Human Embryonic Stem Cell Organization and Fate Using Tension-Calibrated Extracellular Matrix Functionalized Polyacrylamide Gels

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Progenitor Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 916))

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cell (hESc) lines are likely the in vitro equivalent of the pluripotent epiblast. hESc express high levels of the extracellular matrix (ECM) laminin integrin receptor α6β1 and consequently can adhere robustly and be propagated in an undifferentiated state on tissue culture plastic coated with the laminin rich basement membrane preparation, Matrigel, even in the absence of supporting fibroblasts. Such cultures represent a critical step in the development of more defined feeder free cultures of hESc; a goal deemed necessary for regenerative medical applications and have been used as the starting point in some differentiation protocols. However, on standard non-deformable tissue culture plastic hESc either fail or inadequately develop the structural/morphological organization of the epiblast in vivo. By contrast, growth of hESc on appropriately defined mechanically deformable polyacrylamide substrates permits recapitulation of many of these in vivo features. These likely herald differences in the precise nature of the integration of signal transduction pathways from soluble morphogens and represent an unexplored variable in hESc (fate) state space. In this chapter we describe how to establish viable hESc colonies on these functionalized polyacrylamide gels. We suggest this strategy as a prospective in vitro model of the genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology of pre- and early-gastrulation stage human embryos and the permissive and instructive roles that cellular and substrate mechanics might play in early embryonic cell fate decisions. Such knowledge should inform regenerative medical applications aimed at enabling or improving the differentiation of specific cell types from embryonic or induced embryonic stem cells.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by internal funding from the Dept of Surgery, UCSF, a CIRM Pilot Grant #RS1-00449-1, and NIH Grants R01CA138818-01A1 and 1U54CA163155-01 to VMW as well as a CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research Grant #TB1-01190 awarded to Humbolt State University to fund ARC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Johnathon N. Lakins

  2. Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Andrew R. Chin

  3. Department of Surgery and Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Valerie M. Weaver

  4. Departments of Anatomy and Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Valerie M. Weaver

  5. Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Valerie M. Weaver

  6. Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Valerie M. Weaver

Authors
  1. Johnathon N. Lakins
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  2. Andrew R. Chin
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  3. Valerie M. Weaver
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Valerie M. Weaver .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Life Sciences, Healing Foundation Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom

    Kimberly A. Mace

  2. School of Medicine & Dentistry, Centre for Cutaneous Research, Blizard I, Barts and The London, Newark Street 4, London, E1 2AT, United Kingdom

    Kristin M. Braun

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Lakins, J.N., Chin, A.R., Weaver, V.M. (2012). Exploring the Link Between Human Embryonic Stem Cell Organization and Fate Using Tension-Calibrated Extracellular Matrix Functionalized Polyacrylamide Gels. In: Mace, K., Braun, K. (eds) Progenitor Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 916. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-980-8_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-980-8_24

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-979-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-980-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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