Dynamic regulation of connexins in stem cell pluripotency

Schematic model depicting expression levels of connexins relative to the pluripotency state in which human and mouse stem cells exist in vitro. Stem cells existing in the na ïve ground state express lower overall connexin levels but are still capable of gap junctional intercellular communication. As pluripotent stem cells become “primed” for differentiation, connexin expression (most notably Cx43) is significantly upregulated. Importantly, human and mouse stem cell s existing at both ends of the pluripotency continuum appear to retain their signature pluripotency profiles, even in the absence of Cx43. AbstractCharacterization of the pluripotent “ground state” has led to a greater understanding of species‐specific stem cell differences and has imparted an appreciation of the pluripotency continuum that exists in stem cells in vitro. Pluripotent stem cells are functionally coupled via connexins that serve in gap junctional intercellula r communication (GJIC) and here we report that the level of connexin expression in pluripotent stem cells depends upon the state in which stem cells exist in vitro. Human and mouse pluripotent stem cells stabilized in a developmentally primitive or “naïve” state exhibit significantly less conne xin expression compared with stem cells which are “primed” for differentiation. This dynamic connexin expression pattern may be governed, in part, by differential regulation by pluripotency transcription factors expressed in each cell s...
Source: Stem Cells - Category: Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Embryonic Stem Cells/Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Source Type: research