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Table 1 Examples of directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into specific cell types

From: Strategies for enrichment and selection of stem cell-derived tissue precursors

Embryonic germ layers

Differentiation factors or culture conditions or both

Example of differentiated cells

Endoderm

FGF, BMP4, hepatocyte growth factor, oncostatin M, dexamethasone

Hepatocytes [12, 13]

 

Activin A, Wnt3A, keratinocyte growth factor/FGF7, retinoic acid, cyclopamine, noggin

Pancreatic islet progenitors [11]

Mesoderm

Serum-free conditions; BMP4

Dendritic cells [16]

 

Micromass of dissociated embryoid bodies; BMP2

Chondrocytes [100]

 

High-density culture of dissociated embryoid bodies; ascorbic acid, dexamethasone

Chondrocytes [101]

 

Co-culture with primary chondrocytes; poly-D, L-lactide scaffold

Chondrocytes [102]

 

Serum-free conditions

Blood cells [15]

 

Dense monolayer of hESCs; Activin A, BMP4

Cardiomyocytes [25]

 

BMP4, BMP4/bFGF/Activin A, VEGF/DKK1, VEGF/DKK1/bFGF

Cardiomyocytes [26]

Ectoderm

FGF8, SHH

Dopaminergic neurons [29, 103]

 

Ciliary neutrotrophic factor, neuregulin 1β, dbcAMP

Schwann cells [34]

 

Retinoic acid, SHH

Motor neurons [33]

 

Withdrawal of FGF2, BDNF; addition of GDNF, NGF, dbcAMP

Peripheral sympathetic and sensory neurons [34]

 

Serum-free conditions; Activin A, nicotinamide

Retinal pigment epithelium [104]

 

B27, thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, FGF2, EGF, insulin

Oligodendrocytes [35]

 

BMP4, ascorbic acid

Basal keratinocytes [105]

  1. BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; dbcAMP, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate; DKK1, Dickkopf-related protein; EGF, epidermal growth factor; FGF, fibroblast growth factor; GDNF, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor; hESC, human embryonic stem cell; NGF, nerve growth factor; SHH, sonic hedgehog; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.