Pluripotency Dynamics during Embryogenesis and in Cell Culture
The early embryonic development of mice and humans is characterized by the presence of pluripotent cells, which give rise to all tissues of the developing embryo. About 40 years ago, these cells were isolated and maintained in culture in a stable pluripotent state. Since then, a plethora of data regarding the mechanisms underlying the functioning of these cells, key genes necessary for their work, as well as their differentiation into various cell types. Nowadays, depending on the stage of embryogenesis, multiple types of pluripotent stem cells can be distinguished, and these types fundamentally differ from each other in signaling, culture condition dependendence, and differentiation abilities. This review summarizes currently available information on the dynamics of pluripotency during embryogenesis as well as in cultured pluripotent cells.