“…Depending on the signals provided, ESCs can differentiate into a variety of cell types (Wobus and Boheler, 2005). LIF/ STAT3, WNT/b-catenin, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/SMAD have been suggested as context-dependent regulators of both ESC self-renewal and differentiation (Chatterjee et al, 2015;Funa et al, 2015;Itoh et al, 2014;Niwa et al, 1998;Zhang et al, 2013). In contrast, retinoic acid (RA) is known as an efficient inducer of ESC differentiation (Gudas and Wagner, 2011;Rochette-Egly, 2015;Simandi et al, 2010).…”