Characterization of human embryonic stem cells with features of neoplastic progression.

Cultured human embryonic stem (hES) cells can acquire genetic and epigenetic changes that make them vulnerable to transformation. As hES cells with cancer-cell characteristics share properties with normal hES cells, such as self-renewal, teratoma formation and the expression of pluripotency markers, they may be misconstrued as superior hES cells with enhanced 'stemness'. We characterize two variant hES cell lines (v-hESC-1 and v-hESC-2) that express pluripotency markers at high levels and do not harbor chromosomal abnormalities by standard cytogenetic measures. We show that the two lines possess some features of neoplastic progression, including a high proliferative capacity, growth-factor independence, a 9- to 20-fold increase in frequency of tumor-initiating cells, niche independence and aberrant lineage specification, although they are not malignant. Array comparative genomic hybridization reveals an amplification at 20q11.1-11.2 in v-hESC-1 and a deletion at 5q34a-5q34b;5q3 and a mosaic gain of chromosome 12 in v-hESC-2. These results emphasize the need for functional characterization to distinguish partially transformed and normal hES cells.

Endothelial and hematopoietic cell fate of human embryonic stem cells originates from primitive endothelium with hemangioblastic properties.

The cellular organization and relationships among precursors that initiate embryonic angiogenesis and hematopoiesis in the human have yet to be characterized. Here, we identify a subpopulation of primitive endothelial-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that express PECAM-1, Flk-1, and VE-cadherin, but not CD45 (CD45negPFV cells), and that are uniquely responsible for endothelial and hematopoietic development. Molecular profiling of CD45negPFV cells is consistent with endothelial and hematopoietic competency. Clonal isolation demonstrates that the CD45negPFV population includes bipotent cells with endothelial and hematopoietic capacity. We suggest that human hematopoiesis and endothelial maturation originate exclusively from a subset of embryonic endothelium that possesses hemangioblastic properties and offers a model system to study these lineage relationships in the human.

Identification of a novel population of human cord blood cells with hema-topoietic and chondrocytic potential.

With the exception of mature erythrocytes, cells within the human hematopoietic system are characterized by the cell surface expression of the pan-leukocyte receptor CD45. Here, we identify a novel subset among mononuclear cord blood cells depleted of lineage commitment markers (Lin-) that are devoid of CD45 expression. Surprisingly, functional examination of Lin-CD45- cells also lacking cell surface CD34 revealed they were capable of multipotential hematopoietic progenitor capacity. Co-culture with mouse embryonic limb bud cells demonstrated that Lin-CD45-CD34- cells were capable of contributing to cartilage nodules and differentiating into human chondrocytes. BMP-4, a mesodermal factor known to promote chondrogenesis, significantly augmented Lin-CD45-CD34- differentiation into chondrocytes. Moreover, unlike CD34+ human hematopoietic stem cells, Lin-CD45-CD34- cells were unable to proliferate or survive in liquid cultures, whereas single Lin-CD45-CD34- cells were able to chimerize the inner cell mass (ICM) of murine blastocysts and proliferate in this embryonic environment. Our study identifies a novel population of Lin-CD45-CD34- cells capable of commitment into both hematopoietic and chondrocytic lineages, suggesting that human cord blood may provide a more ubiquitous source of tissue with broader developmental potential than previously appreciated.

Human embryonic stem cells possess immune-privileged properties.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are envisioned to be a major source for cell-based therapies. Efforts to overcome rejection of hESCs include nuclear transfer and collection of hESC banks representing the broadest diversity of major histocompatability complex (MHC) polymorphorisms. Surprisingly, immune responses to hESCs have yet to be experimentally evaluated. Here, injection of hESCs into immune-competent mice was unable to induce an immune response. Undifferentiated and differentiated hESCs failed to stimulate proliferation of alloreactive primary human T cells and inhibited third-party allogeneic dendritic cell-mediated T-cell proliferation via cellular mechanisms independent of secreted factors. Upon secondary rechallenge, T cells cocultured with hESCs were still responsive to allogeneic stimulators but failed to proliferate upon re-exposure to hESCs. Our study demonstrates that hESCs possess unique immune-privileged characteristics and provides an unprecedented opportunity to further investigate the mechanisms of immune response to transplantation of hESCs that may avoid immune-mediated rejection.

VEGF-A165 augments erythropoietic development from human embryonic stem cells.

Combinations of hematopoietic cytokines and the ventral mesoderm inducer BMP-4 have recently been shown to augment hematopoietic cell fate of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) during embryoid body (EB) development. However, factors capable of regulating lineage commitment of hESC-derived hematopoiesis have yet to be reported. Here we show that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A165) selectively promotes erythropoietic development from hESCs. Effects of VEGF-A165 were dependent on the presence of hematopoietic cytokines and BMP-4, and could be augmented by addition of erythropoietin (EPO). Treatment of human EBs with VEGF-A165 increased the frequency of cells coexpressing CD34 and the VEGF-A165 receptor KDR, as well as cells expressing erythroid markers. Although fetal/adult globins were unaffected, VEGF-A165 induced the expression of embryonic zeta (zeta) and epsilon (epsilon) globins, and was accompanied by expression of the hematopoietic transcription factor SCL/Tal-1. In addition to promoting erythropoietic differentiation from hESCs, the presence of VEGF-A165 enhanced the in vitro self-renewal potential of primitive hematopoietic cells capable of erythroid progenitor capacity. Our study demonstrates a role for VEGF-A165 during erythropoiesis of differentiating hESCs, thereby providing the first evidence for a factor capable of regulating hematopoietic lineage development of hESCs.

Cytokines and BMP-4 promote hematopoietic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) randomly differentiate into multiple cell types during embryoid body (EB) development. To date, characterization of specific factors capable of influencing hematopoietic cell fate from hESCs remains elusive. Here, we report that the treatment of hESCs during EB development with a combination of cytokines and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4), a ventral mesoderm inducer, strongly promotes hematopoietic differentiation. Hematopoietic progenitors of multiple lineages were generated from EBs and were found to be restricted to the population of progeny expressing cell surface CD45. Addition of BMP-4 had no statistically significant effect on hematopoietic differentiation but enabled significant enhancement in progenitor self-renewal, independent of cytokine treatment. Hematopoietic commitment was characterized as the temporal emergence of single CD45+ cells first detectable after day 10 of culture and was accompanied by expression of hematopoietic transcription factors. Despite the removal of cytokines at day 10, hematopoietic differentiation of hESCs continued, suggesting that cytokines act on hematopoietic precursors as opposed to differentiated hematopoietic cells. Our study establishes the first evidence for the role of cytokines and BMP-4 in promoting hematopoietic differentiation of hESC lines and provides an unprecedented system to study early developmental events that govern the initiation of hematopoiesis in the human.