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EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Serum-Free Medium Reveals Distinct Roles for Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Stem Cell Factor, and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 in Hematopoiesis

Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

Key Words. Embryonic stem cells • Hematopoiesis • Bone morphogenetic protein 4 • Vascular endothelial growth factor • Stem cell factor • Fibroblast growth factor 2

Correspondence: Andrew Elefanty, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., FRACP, Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Building 75, STRIP 1, West Ring Road, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. Telephone: 61 3 9905 0650; Fax: 61 3 9905 0680; e-mail: andrew.elefanty{at}med.monash.edu.au

Received on November 6, 2006; accepted for publication on May 30, 2007.

First published online in STEM CELLS EXPRESS  June 7, 2007.


We have utilized a serum- and stromal cell-free "spin embryoid body (EB)" differentiation system to investigate the roles of four growth factors, bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stem cell factor (SCF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), singly and in combination, on the generation of hematopoietic cells from human embryonic stem cells (HESCs). Of the four factors, only BMP4 induced expression of genes that signaled the emergence of the primitive streak-like population required for the subsequent development of hematopoietic mesoderm. In addition, BMP4 initiated the expression of genes marking hematopoietic mesoderm and supported the generation of hematopoietic progenitor cells at a low frequency. However, the appearance of robust numbers of hematopoietic colony forming cells and their mature progeny required the inclusion of VEGF. Finally, the combination of BMP4, VEGF, SCF, and FGF2 further enhanced the total yield of hematopoietic cells. These data demonstrate the utility of the serum-free spin EB system in dissecting the roles of specific growth factors required for the directed differentiation of HESCs toward the hematopoietic lineage.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

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