Defining the role of oxygen tension in human neural progenitor fate

Hypoxia augments human embryonic stem cell self-renewal via hypoxia-inducible factor 2 (HIF2) activated OCT4 (POU5F1) transcription. Hypoxia also increases the efficiency of reprogramming differentiated cells to a pluripotent-like state. Combined, these findings suggest that low oxygen (O2) tension would impair the purposeful differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Here, we show that low O2 tension and HIF activity instead promotes appropriate hESC differentiation. Through gain and loss of function studies, we implicate O2 tension as a modifier of a key cell fate decision, namely whether neural progenitors differentiate towards neurons or glia. Furthermore, our data show that even transient changes in O2 concentration can affect cell fate through HIF by regulating the activity of MYC, a regulator of LIN28/let-7 that is critical for fate decisions in the neural lineage. We also identify key small molecules that can take advantage of this pathway to quickly and efficiently promote the development of mature cell types.

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Xie Y, Zhang J, Lin Y, Gaeta X, Meng X, Wisidagama DR, Cinkornpumin J, Koehler CM, Malone CS, Teitell MA, Lowry WE