Phenotype . | BMP4 . | LIF . |
---|---|---|
GFAP expression | +++ | + |
Stellate morphology | + | − |
Cell-cycle exit | + | − |
LeX expression | − | + |
Sox1 expression | − | + |
Vimentin expression | − | + |
Neurosphere formation (self-renewal) | − | + |
Neuron production by progeny | − | + |
Phenotype . | BMP4 . | LIF . |
---|---|---|
GFAP expression | +++ | + |
Stellate morphology | + | − |
Cell-cycle exit | + | − |
LeX expression | − | + |
Sox1 expression | − | + |
Vimentin expression | − | + |
Neurosphere formation (self-renewal) | − | + |
Neuron production by progeny | − | + |
LIF and BMP4 induce discrete GFAP+ cell populations from embryonic stem cells, when endogenous BMPs are taken into account. LIF-induced GFAP+ cells have a bipolar/tripolar, morphology, re-enter the cell-cycle, express proteins characteristic of progenitors, and function as multipotential stem/progenitor cells capable of self-renewal and the generation of neuronal progeny. By contrast, BMP-induced GFAP+cells have a mature astrocytic phenotype as demonstrated by stellate GFAP+ morphology, exit from the cell cycle, loss of stem/progenitor markers and the inability to self-renew.