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Title: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES OF DOMESTICATED UNGULATES

Author
item KEEFER, CAROL - UNIV OF MARYLAND
item PANT, DISHA - UNIV OV MARYLAND
item Blomberg, Le Ann
item Talbot, Neil

Submitted to: Animal Reproduction Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/14/2006
Publication Date: 10/14/2006
Citation: Keefer, C.L., Pant, D., Blomberg, L., Talbot, N.C. 2006. Challenges and prospects for the establishment of embryonic stem cell lines of domesticated ungulates. Animal Reproduction Sciences. 98:147-168.

Interpretive Summary: The establishment of embryonic stem (ES) cell lines of domesticated ungulates, e.g., the pig, sheep, goat, cow or horse, is of interest for similar reasons to those of mouse and primate ES cell lines. Several applied research initiatives await the establishment of ungulates ES cell lines. These include the creation of models of human genetic diseases and cell transplantation therapies. Domesticated ungulate ES cell lines would also be useful in the precise genetic engineering of these animals for production and trait improvements, for disease resistance, and for biopharming, e.g., the expression of protein-based pharmaceuticals in the milk of ungulates. Ungulate ES cell lines could be used to accomplish these goals, either through chimera technology, already well established in producing genetically modified mice, or by improving the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (animal cloning) technology that is currently used in the production of genetically engineered ungulates. While proven ES cell lines have yet to be established in ungulates, the identification of appropriate stem cell markers, functional growth factor pathways, and key stem cell maintenance factors may facilitate this goal. This review will focus on the known culture and biological characteristics of mouse and primate ES cell lines, commonly accepted as proven ES cell lines, and compare and contrast them to the reported ES-like cell lines of ungulates.

Technical Abstract: The establishment of embryonic stem (ES) cell lines of domesticated ungulates, e.g., the pig, sheep, goat, cow or horse, is of interest for similar reasons to those of mouse and primate ES cell lines. Several applied research initiatives await the establishment of ungulates ES cell lines. These include the creation of models of human genetic diseases and cell transplantation therapies. Domesticated ungulate ES cell lines would also be useful in the precise genetic engineering of these animals for production and trait improvements, for disease resistance, and for biopharming. Ungulate ES cell lines could be used to accomplish these goals, either through chimera technology, already well established in producing genetically modified mice, or by improving the efficiency of genetic engineering though the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique. While proven ES cell lines have yet to be established in ungulates, the identification of appropriate stem cell markers, functional cytokine pathways, and key pluripotency-maintaining factors may facilitate this goal. This review will focus on the known culture and biological characteristics of mouse and primate ES cell lines, commonly accepted as proven ES cell lines, and compare and contrast them to the reported ES-like cell lines of ungulates.