Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41634384›Full record

ArticleCell research2026

Asymmetric division in a two-cell-like state rejuvenates embryonic stem cells.

Xinyi Wang, Hong Fu, Qingyang Sun, Boyan Huang, Zhe Xu, Xuzhao Zhai, Chuncao Deng, Laru Peng, Mengdan Zhang, Tianran Peng and 8 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cell research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Xinyi Wang *GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Hong Fu *Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Qingyang Sun *Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Boyan Huang *GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zhe Xu *GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Xuzhao ZhaiGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Chuncao DengGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Laru PengGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Mengdan ZhangGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Tianran PengGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
An GongGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Jiasui LiuGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zhengzhi ZouMOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Guangjin PanGuangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.ORCID 0000-0002-2378-7198
Jiekai ChenGuangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5168-7074
Guangming WuGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.ORCID 0000-0003-1923-7609
Man ZhangGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. zhang_man@gzlab.ac.cn.
Mingwei MinGMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. min_mingwei@gzlab.ac.cn.ORCID 0000-0002-9050-5330

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 32170732National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 32300665
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

A fundamental question in biology is whether all cells age. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) defy the norm as rare normal cells capable of indefinite in vitro passage. However, the mechanisms underlying ESC lineage immortality remain unresolved. Using long-term live-cell imaging to follow the fates of single ESCs, we show that ESC lineage renewal is achieved through sporadic entry into a state characterized by the expression of two-cell embryo-specific markers. During this state, cells undergo asymmetric fate divisions, enriching accumulated DNA damage into one daughter lineage that is destined for elimination, while producing a second lineage that reverts to the pluripotent state. Importantly, the latter lineage exhibits signs of rejuvenation, including reduced DNA damage and enhanced chimeric efficiency. These findings underscore the crucial role of asymmetric cell division in maintaining the long-term health of the ESC lineage against mounting damage within individual cells and provide a potential model for studying cellular aging and rejuvenation in mammalian cells.

Indexed as

Asymmetric Cell DivisionEmbryonic Stem CellsMouse Embryonic Stem CellsAnimalsCell DifferentiationCell LineageCellular SenescenceDNA DamageMice

Identifiers

PMID41634384
PMCPMC12909306

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.