Media comparison and model of FTDA mechanism.

<p>(<b>A</b>) hESC line NCL3 and (<b>B</b>) iPS line 1 were cultured for 3 passages in FTDA, in MEF-CM, and in proprietary media. All media sustained pluripotency, but differentiation tended to be increased in MEF-CM and some proprietary media, compared to FTDA. Top: Stereo microscopic view. Bottom: Gene expression analysis relative to FTDA (n = 3). (<b>C</b>) Model of our understanding of the pluripotency-sustaining mechanism of FTDA. FGF2, TGFβ1 and Activin A cooperatively support self-renewal, whereas DM inhibits spontaneous extraembryonic differentiation. IWP-2 may additionally be used if cells tend to spontaneously differentiate into mesendoderm.