Stem Cell Reports (Dec 2015)

A Dynamic Role of TBX3 in the Pluripotency Circuitry

  • Ronan Russell,
  • Marcus Ilg,
  • Qiong Lin,
  • Guangming Wu,
  • André Lechel,
  • Wendy Bergmann,
  • Tim Eiseler,
  • Leonhard Linta,
  • Pavan Kumar P.,
  • Moritz Klingenstein,
  • Kenjiro Adachi,
  • Meike Hohwieler,
  • Olena Sakk,
  • Stefanie Raab,
  • Anne Moon,
  • Martin Zenke,
  • Thomas Seufferlein,
  • Hans R. Schöler,
  • Anett Illing,
  • Stefan Liebau,
  • Alexander Kleger

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.11.003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 6
pp. 1155 – 1170

Abstract

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Pluripotency represents a cell state comprising a fine-tuned pattern of transcription factor activity required for embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal. TBX3 is the earliest expressed member of the T-box transcription factor family and is involved in maintenance and induction of pluripotency. Hence, TBX3 is believed to be a key member of the pluripotency circuitry, with loss of TBX3 coinciding with loss of pluripotency. We report a dynamic expression of TBX3 in vitro and in vivo using genetic reporter tools tracking TBX3 expression in mouse ESCs (mESCs). Low TBX3 levels are associated with reduced pluripotency, resembling the more mature epiblast. Notably, TBX3-low cells maintain the intrinsic capability to switch to a TBX3-high state and vice versa. Additionally, we show TBX3 to be dispensable for induction and maintenance of naive pluripotency as well as for germ cell development. These data highlight novel facets of TBX3 action in mESCs.