Table 1.
Pluripotent state | Corresponding embryonic stage | Gene expression | Epigenetic profile | Functional potential |
---|---|---|---|---|
Naïve - ESCs | E3.5–4.5 | Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, Klf4, Stella, Rex1, Gbx2, Tbx3, Pecam, SSEA-1, Alkaline phosphatase | X reactivation. DE-controlled Oct4 expression. | Pre-imp. Chimaeras. Poor PGCLC generation. |
Primed - EpiSCs | E7.25–8.0 | Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SSEA-1, Fgf5, Oct6, Otx2, Brachyury, FoxA2, Sox17, Gata4, Gata6 | X inactivation. PE-controlled Oct4 expression. | Post-imp. Chimaeras. Poor PGCLC generation. |
Intermediate 1 | E5.0–6.25 | Oct4, Sox2, low Nanog, SSEA-1, Fgf5, Oct6, Otx2 (no PS or lineage markers) | X reactivation, Equal Oct4 regulation by DE and PE? | Pre and post-imp. Chimaeras. Efficient PGCLC generation. |
Intermediate 2 | E6.25–7.25 | Early PS/mesoderm markers e.g. Nanog, Brachyury. No endoderm markers. |
X inactivation. | Post-imp. Chimaeras. Reduced PGCLC generation. |
ESCs embryonic stem cells, EpiSCs epiblast stem cells, E embryonic day, DE distal enhancer, PE proximal enhancer, pre-imp. pre-implantation, post-imp. post-implantation, PGCLC primordial germ cell-like cell, PS primitive streak