Figure 6.

The STAT3 and p38 MAPK Signaling Pathways Are Crucial for Floor-Plate Specification

(A and B) Confocal images show expression of FOXA2 (A) and NKX2.1 (B) in day-12 neuroepithelia differentiated under AD conditions in the presence of SHH and represented signaling inhibitors. Scale bars, 50 μm.

(C and D) FOXA2 (C) and NKX2.1 (D) mRNA expression in day-12 neuroepithelia differentiated under AD conditions in control, SHH, or SHH plus represented signaling inhibitor groups. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. Unpaired two-tailed Student's t test: ^∗∗p < 0.01.

(E) Western blot shows temporal activation of STAT3 and p38 MAPK along hESC differentiation under AD or EB conditions.

(F–H) qPCR results show that combined AG490 and SB202190 treatment decreases EN1 and CORIN (F), but increases FOXG1 and SOX1 (G) and LHX6 and LHX8 (H) expression after SHH exposure. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. Unpaired two-tailed Student's t test: ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01.

See also Figure S5.