Developmental differences in the expression of FGF receptors between human and mouse embryos

T. Kunath*, Y. Yamanaka, J. Detmar, D. MacPhee, I. Caniggia, J. Rossant, A. Jurisicova

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is essential for early trophoblast expansion and maintenance in the mouse, but is not required for trophectoderm specification during blastocyst formation. This signaling pathway is stably activated to expand the trophoblast stem cell compartment in vivo, while in vitro, FGFs are used for the derivation of trophoblast stem (TS) cells from blastocysts and early post-implantation mouse embryos. However, the function of FGFs during human trophoblast development is not known. 

Methods: We sought to derive TS cells from human blastocysts in a number of culture conditions, including in the presence of FGFs and stem cell factor (SCF). We also investigated the expression of FGF receptors (FGFRs) in blastocysts, and the expression of FGFR2 and activated ERK1/2 in first trimester human placentae. 

Results: We found that SCF, but not FGF2/4, improved the quality of blastocyst outgrowths, but we were unable to establish stable human TS cell lines. We observed CDX2 expression in the trophectoderm of fully blastocysts, but rarely observed transcription of FGFRs. FGFR2 protein was not detected in human blastocysts, but was strongly expressed in mouse blastocysts. However, we found robust FGFR2 expression and activated ERK1/2 in the cytotrophoblast layer of early human placenta. 

Discussion: Our data suggests that initiation of FGF-dependent trophoblast expansion may occur later in human development, and is unlikely to drive maintenance of a TS cell compartment during the periimplantation period. These findings suggest that cytotrophoblast preparations from early placentae may be a potential source of FGF-dependent human TS cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1079-1088
Number of pages10
JournalPlacenta
Volume35
Issue number12
Early online date23 Sept 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2014

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Blastocyst
  • CDX2
  • FGF receptors
  • FGFR2
  • Human
  • Mouse
  • Trophoblast

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Developmental differences in the expression of FGF receptors between human and mouse embryos'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this