Reinforced STAT3 activity sustains self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells in a naive-like state

Only rodent embryonic stem (ES) cells can self-renew in the pristine state of pluripotency called the naive or ground state. Human ES (hES) cells self-renew in the so-called primed state of pluripotency, which is an obstacle to research, hindering cost-effective cultivation in media devoid of animal-derived products, genetic stability, and genome engineering. Here we show that forced expression of a hormone-dependent STAT3-ERT2, in combination with LIF and inhibitors of MEK and GSK3beta, allows hES cells to escape from the primed state, and enter a new state designated as TL2i, characterized by the activation of STAT3 target genes, regular passaging by single cell dissociation, and the expression of naive state-specific transcription factors.

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Chen H, Aksoy I, Gonnot F, Osteil P, Aubry M, Hamela C, Rognard C, Hochard A, Voisin S, Fontaine E, Mure M, Afanassieff M, Cleroux E, Guibert S, Chen J, Vallot C, Acloque H, Genthon C, Donnadieu C, De Vos J, Sanlaville D, Guérin JF, Weber M, Stanton LW, Rougeulle C, Pain B, Bourillot PY, Savatier P