Mouse embryonic stem cells derived from the epiblast contribute to the somatic lineages and
the germline but are excluded from the extra-embryonic tissues that are derived from the
trophectoderm and the primitive endoderm upon reintroduction to the blastocyst. Here we
report that cultures of expanded potential stem cells can be established from individual eight-
cell blastomeres, and by direct conversion of mouse embryonic stem cells and induced
pluripotent stem cells. Remarkably, a single expanded potential stem cell can contribute …

Mouse embryonic stem cells derived from the epiblast1 contribute to the somatic lineages
and the germline but are excluded from the extra-embryonic tissues that are derived from the
trophectoderm and the primitive endoderm2 upon reintroduction to the blastocyst. Here we
report that cultures of expanded potential stem cells can be established from individual eight-
cell blastomeres, and by direct conversion of mouse embryonic stem cells and induced
pluripotent stem cells. Remarkably, a single expanded potential stem cell can contribute …