Asymmetric Inheritance of Centrosome-Associated Primary Cilium Membrane Directs Ciliogenesis after Cell Division Scientists followed the ciliary membrane in dividing embryonic neocortical stem cells and cultured cells. Ciliary membrane attached to the mother centriole was endocytosed at mitosis onset, persisted through mitosis at one spindle pole, and was asymmetrically inherited by one daughter cell, which retained stem cell character. Abstract | Graphical Abstract Context-Dependent Wiring of Sox2 Regulatory Networks for Self-Renewal of Embryonic and Trophoblast Stem Cells By comparing genome-wide binding sites of Sox2 in embryonic stem cells and trophoblast stem cells combined with inducible knockout systems, researchers found that, despite the common role in safeguarding the stem cell state, Sox2 regulates distinct sets of genes with unique functions in these two different yet developmentally related types of stem cells. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract DNA Methyltransferase-3-Dependent Nonrandom Template Segregation in Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells The authors’ results unambiguously demonstrate nonrandom template segregation (NRTS) in asymmetrically dividing, differentiating human and mouse embryonic stem cells. Moreover, they showed that NRTS is dependent on DNA methylation and on DNA methyltransferase-3, indicating a molecular mechanism that regulates this phenomenon. [J Cell Biol] Abstract CTCF Binding Site Sequence Differences Are Associated with Unique Regulatory and Functional Trends during Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation The authors’ previous work suggested that differences in CCCTC-binding factor’s (CTCF’s) binding site sequence may affect the regulation of CTCF recruitment and its function. To investigate this possibility, they characterized changes in genome-wide CTCF binding and gene expression during differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. [Nucleic Acid Res] Full Article Therapeutic Efficacy of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells in Humanized Mouse Models Harboring a Human Immune System The generation of humanized mice harboring a human immune system has provided a tool to perform in vivo immunologic studies of human cells and tissues. Using this model, scientists examined the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells, human embryonic fibroblasts, and cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells in a human immune system environment. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract Small Diameter Vascular Graft Engineered Using Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Cells The feasibility of creating small diameter vascular constructs using smooth muscle cells differentiated from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal cells was evaluated. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Electrical Stimulation Promotes Maturation of Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Scientists sought to determine whether electrical stimulation could enhance the differentiation and maturation of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. [J Cardiovasc Transl Res] Abstract Gene Expression Profiling Reveals the Heterogeneous Transcriptional Activity of Oct3/4 and Its Possible Interaction with Gli2 in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Investigators examined the transcriptional activity of Oct3/4 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) maintained under standard culture conditions to gain a better understanding of self-renewal in mESCs. [Genomics] Abstract Generation of Multipotent Foregut Stem Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines vary in their capacity to generate specialized cells, and the development of universal protocols for the production of tissue-specific cells remains a major challenge. Investigators addressed this limitation for the endodermal lineage by developing a defined culture system to expand and differentiate human foregut stem cells derived from hPSCs. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release Maintenance of Pluripotency in Mouse ES Cells without Trp53 Investigators established a new line of Trp53-null embryonic stem (ES) cells by sequential gene targeting and evaluated their ability to differentiate in vitro and in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article |