Lithium Directs Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Into Hemangioblast‐Like Cells. Issue 8 (9th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mnatsakanyan, Hayk; Salmeron‐Sanchez, Manuel; Rico, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Advanced biology. Volume 5:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-05-09
• Subjects: differentiation -- hematopoietic stem cell precursors -- lithium -- pluripotent stem cells; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000569
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2701-0198

Abstract

Abstract: Definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derive from specialized regions of the endothelium known as the hemogenic endothelium (HE) during embryonic developmental processes. This knowledge opens up new possibilities for designing new strategies to obtain HSCs in vitro from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Previous advances in this field show that the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in PSC‐derived HSC formation. In this work, lithium, a GSK3 inhibitor, is identified as an element capable of stabilizing β‐catenin and inducing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) differentiation in hemangioblast‐like cells, highly consistent with the role of Wnt agonists on ESC differentiation. ESCs treated with 10 mm lithium express CD31+, SCA‐1+, Nkx2‐5+, CD34+, and FLK1+ cells characteristic of the hemangioblast cells that precede HE development. However, 10 mm Li treated cells remain arrested in a hemangioblast‐like phase, which switched into the expression of HE markers after stimulation with maturation medium. The ability of lithium‐treated ESCs to further derive into HE is confirmed after defined maturation, resulting in a rapid increase in cells positive for the HE markers RUNX1 and SOX17. The results represent a novel strategy for generating HSC precursors in vitro as a multipotent source of stem cells for blood disease therapies. Abstract : A high lithium concentration triggers embryonic stem cell differentiation into hemangioblast‐like cells by promoting β‐catenin transcriptional activity via GSK3β phosphorylation. The resulting cells hold the potential to be maturated, giving rise to hemogenic endothelial cells and hematopoietic stem cell precursors.