Expression of podocalyxin separates the hematopoietic and vascular potentials of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived mesoderm

Abstract

In the mouse embryo and differentiating embryonic stem cells, the hematopoietic, endothelial, and cardiomyocyte lineages are derived from Flk11 mesodermal progenitors. Here, we report that surface expression of Podocalyxin (Podxl), a member of the CD34 family of sialomucins, can be used to subdivide the Flk11 cells in differentiating embryoid bodies at day 4.75 into populations that develop into distinct mesodermal lineages. Definitive hematopoietic potential was restricted to the Flk11Podxl1 population, while the Flk1-negative Podxl1 population displayed only primitive erythroid potential. The Flk11Podxl-negative population contained endothelial cells and cardiomyocyte potential. Podxl expression distinguishes Flk11 mesoderm populations in mouse embryos at days 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5 and is a marker of progenitor stage primitive erythroblasts. These findings identify Podxl as a useful tool for separating distinct mesodermal lineages.© AlphaMed Press 2013.