Abstract: The FGF signaling pathway maintains pluripotency and promotes self-renewal in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Previous research suggests that hESC differentiation upon FGF deprivation is followed by ROS production and expression of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, there may be a link between the FGF signaling pathway and antioxidants. In this report, we have established a new culture condition that maintains the pluripotency of hESCs without the support of FGF2, instead incorporating a combination of antioxidant compounds. We found that these antioxidant compounds endowed hESCs with the ability to withstand FGF inhibition-induced differentiation by MEK inhibitor. Besides, They are also essential for cell survival. Further analysis showed that AKT2 overexpression helped hESCs survive without the help of antioxidants in the new culture system. Therefore, both AKT phosphorylation levels and downstream signaling of the AKT pathway remain to be tested. This study suggests that antioxidants may regulate cell death-related pathways to replace the function of the FGF signaling pathway.
