Generating primed pluripotent epiblast stem cells: A methodology chapter.

At least two distinct pluripotent states, referred to as naïve and primed, define the early mammalian embryo. In the mouse, the pluripotent epiblast cells in the pre/peri-implantation embryo are the source of naïve embryonic stem cells (ESCs). After the embryo implants, the epiblast lineage generates a restricted or primed population of stem cells, referred to as epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs). ESCs can be cultured in EpiSC media to generate epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs). The differentiation of naive ESCs into primed EpiLCs permits insights into the development and differentiation of the pluripotent epiblast lineage. This chapter describes the generation and characterization of EpiSCs as well as EpiLCs.