A new advanced stem cell-based embryonic model: The ultimate model?

Molecular Therapy, vol. 31, pp. 3109–3110

Abstract

Recent breakthroughs in embryo modeling have paved the way for the creation of so-called stem cell-based embryonic models (SEMs), mirroring key stages in early human embryonic development. This groundbreaking innovation offers scientists an unprecedented platform to delve into the hallmark processes that regulate human embryonic development. Previously, SEMs resembling the post-implantation human embryo have been established using various protocols, such as human embryoids, 1 Weatherbee B.A. Carlos W.G. Lisa K.I. Riza M.D. Nobuhiko H. Jay S. Zernicka-Goetz M. A model of the post-implantation human embryo derived from pluripotent stem cells. Nature. 2023; 1–3 Google Scholar iDiscoids, 2 Hislop J. Amir A. Qi S. Rayna Leann S. Kamyar K.F. Ryan L. Jeremy J.V. Tahere M. Mohammad N.T. Matthew R. et al. Modelling human post-implantation development via extra-embryonic niche engineering. bioRxiv. 2023; (Preprint at)https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.15.545118 Crossref Scopus (0) Google Scholar gastruloids, 3 Liu L. Oura S. Markham Z. Hamilton J.N. Skory R.M. Li L. Sakurai M. Wang L. Pinzon-Arteaga C.A. Plachta N. et al. Modeling post-implantation stages of human development into early organogenesis with stem-cell-derived peri-gastruloids. Cell. 2023; 186: 3776-3792.e16 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar ,4 Mantziou V. Baillie-Benson P. Jaklin M. Kustermann S. Arias A.M. Moris N. In vitro teratogenicity testing using a 3D, embryo-like gastruloid system. Reprod. Toxicol. 2021; 105: 72-90 Crossref PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar ,5 Yuan G. Jiachen W. Zhaode L. Mengqi C. Pinmou Z. Hao Z. Zhibin H. Yiqiang C. Yan Y. Jiahao S. Establishment of a novel non-integrated human pluripotent stem cell-based gastruloid model. bioRxiv. 2023; (Preprint at)https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.28.546720 Crossref Scopus (0) Google Scholar E-assembloids, 6 Ai Z. Niu B. Yin Y. Xiang L. Shi G. Duan K. Wang S. Hu Y. Zhang C. Zhang C. Rong L. Kong R. Chen T. Guo Y. Liu W. Li N. Zhao S. Zhu X. Mai X. Li Y. Wu Z. Zheng Y. Fu J. Ji W. Li T. Dissecting peri-implantation development using cultured human embryos and embryo-like assembloids. Preprint at bioRxiv. 2023; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.15.545180 Google Scholar and human extra-embryoids. 7 Pedroza M. Gassaloglu S.I. Dias N. Zhong L. Hou T.C.J. Kretzmer H. Smith Z.D. Sozen B. Self-patterning of human stem cells into post-implantation lineages. Nature. 2023; 1–3 Google Scholar However, the attainment of human post-implantation-like SEMs exhibiting complex embryo-like and extra-embryonic morphological features (including a yolk sac, chorionic sac, and the bilaminar embryonic disk) has remained elusive. 8 Oldak B. Emilie W. Vladyslav B. Mehmet-Yunus C. Cheng Z. Aguilera-Castrejon A. Shadi T. Sergey V. Thi Xuan Ai P. Shahd A. Dmitry L. et al. Complete human day 14 post-implantation embryo models from naïve ES cells. Nature. 2023; 1–3 Google Scholar

Authors 3

1. Sofie Declercq
   Affiliation as printed

   Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent, Belgium

2. Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes Aachen Department of Anatomy and Embryology from Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Anatomy and Embryology from Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

   Department of Anatomy and Embryology from Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

   Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent, Belgium

3. Björn Heindryckx
   Affiliation as printed

   Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent, Belgium