Naive stem cell blastocyst model captures human embryo lineage segregation

Cell Stem Cell. 2021 Jun 3;28(6):1016-1022.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.031. Epub 2021 May 5.

Abstract

Human naive pluripotent cells can differentiate into extraembryonic trophectoderm and hypoblast. Here we describe a human embryo model (blastoid) generated by self-organization. Brief induction of trophectoderm leads to formation of blastocyst-like structures within 3 days. Blastoids are composed of three tissue layers displaying exclusive lineage markers, mimicking the natural blastocyst. Single-cell transcriptome analyses confirm segregation of trophectoderm, hypoblast, and epiblast with high fidelity to the human embryo. This versatile and scalable system provides a robust experimental model for human embryo research.

Keywords: blastocyst; embryonic stem cells; epiblast; human embryo; hypoblast; lineage segregation; pluripotency; self-organization; trophoblast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blastocyst*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Embryo, Mammalian*
  • Germ Layers
  • Humans
  • Stem Cells