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Early Mesodermal Lineage Markers

In response to a complex integration of signaling pathways involving BMP, FGF, Nodal, and Wnt, pluripotent stem cells are specified to become cells of the mesodermal lineage. Early mesodermal lineage specification can be characterized by the expression of specific markers, such as the transcription factors Brachyury, Snail, and TBX6. In addition to the activation of mesoderm-inducing transcriptional programs, pluripotency genes required for self-renewal are silenced via epigenetic mechanisms.