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Mouse Primordial Germ Cells: In Vitro Culture and Conversion to Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines

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Epigenetic Reprogramming During Mouse Embryogenesis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2214))

Abstract

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of the gametes. Despite decades of research, in vitro culture of PGCs remains a major challenge and has previously relied on undefined components such as serum and feeders. Notably, PGCs cultured for extended periods do not maintain their lineage identity but instead undergo conversion to form pluripotent stem cell lines called embryonic germ (EG) cells in response to LIF/STAT3 signaling. Here we report both established and new methodologies to derive EG cells, in a range of different conditions. We show that basic fibroblast growth factor is not required for EG cell conversion. We detail the steps taken in our laboratory to systematically remove complex components and establish a fully defined protocol that allows efficient conversion of isolated PGCs to pluripotent EG cells. In addition, we demonstrate that PGCs can adhere and proliferate in culture without the support of feeder cells or serum. This may well suggest novel approaches to establishing short-term culture of PGCs in defined conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK

    Malgorzata Borkowska & Harry G. Leitch

  2. Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Malgorzata Borkowska & Harry G. Leitch

Authors
  1. Malgorzata Borkowska
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  2. Harry G. Leitch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Harry G. Leitch .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3215/ INSERM U934, Paris Sciences & Lettres Research University (PSL), Paris, France

    Katia Ancelin

  2. Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3215/ INSERM U934, Paris Sciences & Lettres Research University (PSL), Institut de Ge´ne´tique Mole´culaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS Montpellier, France, Paris, France

    Maud Borensztein

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Borkowska, M., Leitch, H.G. (2021). Mouse Primordial Germ Cells: In Vitro Culture and Conversion to Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines. In: Ancelin, K., Borensztein, M. (eds) Epigenetic Reprogramming During Mouse Embryogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2214. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0958-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0958-3_5

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0957-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-0958-3

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