Using Small Molecules to Control Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation

Small molecules are routinely used to manipulate signaling pathways during the in vitro culture of cells. Signaling pathways that control cell proliferation and differentiation are important targets for small molecules in the culture of stem cells. Targeting pathways such as the canonical Wnt, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and retinoic acid signaling pathways can be useful to enhance and maintain the proliferation of stem cells, or to guide stem cell fate toward specific lineages in con trolled differentiation. This review provides a brief overview of the small molecules that interact with the primary signaling pathways that govern stem cell proliferation and differentiation to mediate stem cell behavior, along with the role of small molecules in the dedifferentiation of somatic cells to create populations of pluripotent stem cells.