Table 1.
Types of stem cells | Stem cell-associated genes | Cell surface markers | Response to factors | Developmental potential | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct4 | Nanog | Sox2 | Klf4 | Dppa3 | Rex1 | Gbx2 | Fgf5 | SSEA1 | SSEA3 SSEA4 | Alkaline phosphatase | LIF | Nodal and/or activin | FGF2 | Teratoma formation | Chimaera formation | |
Mouse EC cells | + | +? | ? | ? | ? | +? | ? | ? | + | – | + | –? | –? | – | + | – (only somatic) |
Mouse ES cells | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | – | + | – | + | + | –# | – | + | + |
Mouse EG cells | + | + | + | + | + | + | ? | –? | + | – | + | + | –? | + | + | + |
Mouse EPL cells | + | + | + | ND | – | – | – | + | + | – | + | +§ | ND | ND | + | – |
Mouse EpiSCs | + | + | + | – | – | – | – | + | + | – | – | – | + | +& | + | – |
Human EC cells | + | + | + | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | – | + | + | – | ? | ND! | ||
Human ES cells | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | – | – | + | + | – | + | + | + | ND! |
+, The gene or cell surface marker is expressed, the growth factors are required for self-renewal or the cells form teratomas or chimaeras; –, the gene or cell surface marker is not expressed, the indicated factors are not required for self-renewal, or the cells do not form tumours or chimaeras, ND, not done; ND!, cannot to be done for obvious ethical reasons!
#One study shows long-term self-renewal; § EPL cells grown in LIF revert to an ES-like state; & EpiSCs are derived and maintained in the presence of these factors, but dependence on the factors for self-renewal has not been rigorously examined