We used a machine classifier approach to assess images of embryonic cell lines grown under maintenance conditions and two differentiation conditions. An early morphological change in embryonic stem cells was detected in adipogenic medium, before accepted terminal markers of adipocytes, PPAR-gamma and FABP4, were expressed. Microarray analysis revealed the heart specific fatty acid binding protein gene, FABP3, was upregulated specifically, under these conditions. Similarly, mESC grown under osteogenic conditions showed a morphological change before expression of Runx, Osterix and Collagen 1 alpha1. Transcriptome analysis allowed the identification of BMPR1a and Msx1 as early markers of the adoption of osteoblast fate.
This study helps model a feasible molecular switch between bone or fat, based on transcription factor expression before detectable master regulators. Interestingly, the earliest morphological changes detected in stem cell culture correlated with expression of previously identified markers of the disparate tissue fates.