Which factor is crucial for maintaining stem cell pluripotency?

FGF signaling plays a significant role in maintaining the pluripotency of stem cells, particularly in embryonic stem cells. One of the main ways FGF signaling accomplishes this is by promoting self-renewal and inhibiting differentiation. It activates specific transcription factors, such as Oct4 and Nanog, which are essential for maintaining the undifferentiated state of stem cells. By continually stimulating these pathways, FGF supports the stem cells in retaining their ability to differentiate into various cell types without losing their original properties.

While other signaling pathways like Wnt, TGF-beta, and Notch also have important functions in regulating cell fate and development, FGF signaling is particularly emphasized in the context of pluripotency maintenance. These pathways can sometimes lead to differentiation or other cell behaviors depending on the cellular context and the balance of signals present. The specific role of FGF in promoting pluripotency makes it a crucial factor to consider in tissue engineering and stem cell research.