BMP4 and perivascular cells promote hematopoietic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation stage-specific manner

Abstract

Stem cells: A better way to grow blood cells in the laboratory Adding a vital regulatory molecule and support cells to the culture medium can help in the derivation of blood products from stem cells. A team led by Seok-Ho Hong from Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, South Korea, followed a clinical-grade protocol for converting embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells from adults into blood cell precursors. The researchers showed that incorporating high doses of a growth factor called bone morphogenetic protein 4 into the standard culture medium for a short period promoted early differentiation toward blood cells. Incorporating so-called perivascular cells taken from umbilical cord blood also enhanced the process through the secretion of signaling molecules that further pushed the stem cells toward differentiating into blood cells. The findings could help improve protocols for making blood products from stem cells for therapeutic purposes.