Derivation of a CDX2+/p63+ human cytotrophoblast stem cell from pluripotent stem cells in defined conditions

We show that WA09 human embryonic stem cells (hESC) cultured in minimal media and treated with BMP4 for 4 days differentiate towards a cytotrophoblast (CTB)-like state. We have compared gene expression profiling of WA09 hESC cultured in minimal media and treated with BMP4 for 4 days to a panel of placental tissues (Amnion, and Stroma), primary cells (first and third trimester CTB) and placenta-derived cell lines (choriocarcinoma-derived BEWO and JEG3, and immoratalised extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell line HTR8).