The paper identifies transcription factors that induce BBB properties in human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells through forward programming.

bioRxiv · Feb 3, 2026 · PreprintCell Biology

Wnt signaling mediates acquisition of blood-brain barrier properties in naïve endothelium derived from human pluripotent stem cells

Benjamin D. Gastfriend, Hideaki Nishihara, Scott Glen Canfield, Koji L Foreman, Britta Engelhardt, Sean P. Palecek, Eric V Shusta

This study shows that activating Wnt signaling in human pluripotent stem cell-derived naive endothelial progenitors promotes the acquisition of blood-brain barrier properties.

eLife · Nov 10, 2021Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Derivation of Isogenic Mesodermal and Ectomesodermal Chondrocytes from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Articular Cartilage Regeneration

Ming‐Song Lee, Matthew J. Stebbins, Hongli Jiao, Hui-Ching Huang, Brian E. Walzack, Sean P. Palecek, Eric V. Shusta, Wan‐Ju Li

This study derives and compares mesodermal and ectomesodermal chondrocytes from hiPSCs, showing that ectomesodermal-derived chondrocytes better resemble native chondrocytes and have improved cartilage repair capabilities.

bioRxiv · Oct 2, 2020 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived brain pericyte-like cells induce blood-brain barrier properties

Matthew J. Stebbins, Benjamin D. Gastfriend, Scott Glen Canfield, Ming‐Song Lee, Drew Richards, Madeline G. Faubion, Wan‐Ju Li, Richard Daneman, Sean P. Palecek, Eric V. Shusta

The paper generates human pluripotent stem cell-derived brain pericyte-like cells that induce blood-brain barrier properties in endothelial cells and form an isogenic NVU model.

Science Advances · Mar 1, 2019Peer-reviewedNeuroscience