早期胚胎细胞谱系研究--揭示生命发育早期的黑盒子

Early embryo development and lineage determination

哺乳动物的早期胚胎发育,通过多个层次的细胞命运决定,建立了胚胎器官发生、形态建成的整体发育蓝图,是生命体最重要的分子事件之一。早期胚胎发育过程伴随了全能性的维持和分化,以及各种多能干细胞命运的次序决定,任何发育进程上的缺陷都会对整个胚胎个体产生深远的影响。因此,研究早期胚胎谱系建立的过程、不同胚层和组织前体细胞的命运决定及其发生与发展的调控机制,不仅仅是面对国家人口政策的变化以及优生优育的需求,预防和减少早期发育疾病,还能够指导胚胎干细胞及各种多能干细胞的分化和进一步转化医学应用,因而具有极其重要的生物学意义。

The progression of the mammalian embryo from fertilization to gastrulation involves an ordered series of hierarchical lineage determination and specifications that ensures the establishment of a blueprint for the whole animal body. For a better understanding of the pluriopotency and the translational application of stem cells, it is crucial to investigate the molecular regulation underlying the sequential lineage specification. This article reviewed the recent progress in our efforts to explore the key regulation of stem cell lineage, especially under the support of ＂Strategic Priority Research Projecton Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine＂ by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.