Wnt signaling pathway participates in valproic acid-induced neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent cells that have the capacity for differentiation into the major cell types of the nervous system, i.e. neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely prescribed drug for seizures and bipolar disorder in clinic. Previously, a number of researches have been shown that VPA has differential effects on growth, proliferation and differentiation in many types of cells. However, whether VPA can induce NSCs from embryonic cerebral cortex differentiate into neurons and its possible molecular mechanism is also not clear. Wnt signaling is implicated in the control of cell growth and differentiation during CNS development in animal model, but its action at the cellular level has been poorly understood. In this experiment, we examined neuronal differentiation of NSCs induced by VPA culture media using vitro immunochemistry assay. The neuronal differentiation of NSCs was examined after treated with 0.75 mM VPA for three, seven and ten days. RT-PCR assay was employed to examine the level of Wnt-3α and β-catenin. The results indicated that there were more β-tublin III positive cells in NSCs treated with VPA medium compared to the control group. The expression of Wnt-3α and β-catenin in NSCs treated with VPA medium was significantly greater compared to that of control media. In conclusion, these findings indicated that VPA could induce neuronal differentiation of NSCs by activating Wnt signal pathway.     

Development and differentiation of neural rosettes derived from human embryonic stem cells

Neurons and glia are important targets of human embryonic stem cell research promising a renewable source of these differentiated cells for biomedical research and regenerative medicine. Neurons and glia are derived, in vivo from the neuroepithelium of the neural tube. Concomitant to development along the anterior to posterior axis, gradients of morphogens across the dorsal and ventral axis of the neural tube establish positional codes that generate distinct progenitor domains and ultimately specify subtype identity. The neural rosette is the developmental signature of neuroprogenitors in cultures of differentiating embryonic stem cells; rosettes are radial arrangements of columnar cells that express many of the proteins expressed in neuroepithelial cells in the neural tube. In addition to similar morphology, neuroprogenitors within neural rosettes differentiate into the main classes of progeny of neuroepithelial cells in vivo: neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Despite these similarities, important differences exist and the extent to which neural rosettes can model neurogenesis in vivo is not yet clear. Here, the authors review the recent studies on the development and differentiation of neural rosettes from human embryonic stem cells. The authors focus on efforts to generate motor neurons and oligodendrocytes in vitro as representative of the challenges to obtaining the progeny of a single progenitor domain with in vitro methods. Opportunities for further progress are discussed.     

The notch response inhibitor DAPT enhances neuronal differentiation in embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies independently of sonic hedgehog signaling.

During development of the neural tube, inhibition of the Notch response as well as the activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) response results in the formation of neuronal cell types. To determine whether Shh and Notch act independently, we tested the effects of the Notch inhibitor DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) on neuralized, embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived embryoid bodies (EBs), while varying the levels of Shh pathway activation. Shh-resistant EBs were derived from Smo null ES cells, while EBs with constitutive high level of Shh pathway activation were derived from Ptc1 null ES cells. Intermediate levels of Shh pathway activation was achieved by the addition of ShhN to the EB culture medium. It was found that DAPT-mediated inhibition of the Notch response resulted in enhanced neuronal differentiation. In the absence of Shh, more interneurons were detected, while the main effect of DAPT on EBs with an activated Shh response was the precocious loss of ventral neuronal precursor-specific markers.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞的体外培养及诱导分化成酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元

探索小鼠胚胎干细胞 (ES)在体外培养及向酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元诱导分化的可能性。将小鼠胚胎干细胞在含有白血病抑制因子 (LIF)的ES培养基中扩增 ,并通过以下几个步骤 :胚胎体的形成、巢蛋白 (Nestin)阳性细胞的筛选、Nestin阳性细胞的体外扩增及撤除碱性成纤维细胞生长因子等后观察向酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元的分化。结果表明小鼠胚胎干细胞在含有LIF的特定培养基中能够稳定传代并保持不分化状态 ,经过无血清培养基的筛选和培养 ,在SonicHedgehog(SHH)及成纤维细胞生长因子 (fibroblastgrowthfactor 8,FGF8)等细胞因子的作用下能定向分化成酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元。这种方法有望为帕金森病等神经变性病的细胞移植治疗提供充足的细胞来源。     

Iris as a recipient tissue for pigment cells: Organized in vivo differentiation of melanocytes and pigmented epithelium derived from embryonic stem cells in vitro

Regenerative transplantation of embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived melanocytes into adult tissues, especially skin that includes hair follicles or the hair follicle itself, generally not possible, whereas that of ES cell-derived pigmented epithelium was reported previously. We investigated the in vivo differentiation of these two pigment cell types derived from ES cells after their transfer into the iris. Melanocytes derived from ES cells efficiently integrated into the iris and expanded to fill the stromal layer of the iris, like those prepared from neonatal skin. Transplanted pigmented epithelium from either ES cells or the neonatal eye was also found to be integrated into the iris. Both types of these regenerated pigment cells showed the correct morphology. Regenerated pigment epithelium expressed its functional marker. Functional blocking of signals required for melanocyte development abolished the differentiation of transplanted melanocytes. These results indicate successful in vivo regenerative transfer of pigment cells induced from ES cells in vitro. Developmental Dynamics 237:2394-2404, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Engineered N-cadherin and L1 biomimetic substrates concertedly promote neuronal differentiation,neurite extension and neuroprotection of human neural stem cells

We investigated the design of neurotrophic biomaterial constructs for human neural stem cells, guided by neural developmental cues of N-cadherin and L1 adhesion molecules. Polymer substrates fabricated either as two-dimensional (2-D) films or three-dimensional (3-D) microfibrous scaffolds were functionalized with fusion chimeras of N-cadherin-Fc alone and in combination with L1-Fc, and the effects on differentiation, neurite extension and survival of H9 human-embryonic-stem-cell-derived neural stem cells (H9-NSCs) were quantified. Combinations of N-cadherin and L1-Fc co-operatively enhanced neuronal differentiation profiles, indicating the critical nature of the two complementary developmental cues. Notably, substrates presenting low levels of N-cadherin-Fc concentrations, combined with proportionately higher L1-Fc concentration, most enhanced neurite outgrowth and the degree of MAP2+ and neurofilament-M+ H9-NSCs. Low N-cadherin-Fc alone promoted improved cell survival following oxidative stress, compared to higher concentrations of N-cadherin-Fc alone or combinations with L1-Fc. Pharmacological and antibody blockage studies revealed that substrates presenting low levels of N-cadherin are functionally competent so long as they elicit a threshold signal mediated by homophilic N-cadherin and fibroblast growth factor signaling. Overall, these studies highlight the ability of optimal combinations of N-cadherin and L1 to recapitulate a “neurotrophic” microenvironment that enhances human neural stem cell differentiation and neurite outgrowth. Additionally, 3-D fibrous scaffolds presenting low N-cadherin-Fc further enhanced the survival of H9-NSCs compared to equivalent 2-D films. This indicates that similar biofunctionalization approaches based on N-cadherin and L1 can be translated to 3-D “transplantable” scaffolds with enhanced neurotrophic behaviors. Thus, the insights from this study have fundamental and translational impacts for neural-stem-cell-based regenerative medicine.     

Effects of elevated magnesium and substrate on neuronal numbers and neurite outgrowth of neural stem/progenitor cells in vitro

Because a potential treatment for brain injuries could be elevating magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) intracerebrally, we characterized the effects of elevating external Mg²⁺ in cultures of neonatal murine brain-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs). Using a crystal violet assay, which avoids interference of Mg²⁺ in the assay, it was determined that substrate influenced Mg²⁺ effects on cell numbers. On uncoated plastic, elevating Mg²⁺ levels to between 2.5 and 10 mM above basal increased NSC numbers, and at higher concentrations numbers decreased to control or lower levels. Similar biphasic curves were observed with different plating densities, treatment durations and length of time in culture. When cells were plated on laminin-coated plastic, NSC numbers were higher even in basal medium and no further effects were observed with Mg²⁺. NSC differentiation into neurons was not altered by either substrate or Mg²⁺ supplementation. Some parameters of neurite outgrowth were increased by elevated Mg²⁺ when NSCs differentiated into neurons on uncoated plastic. Differentiation on laminin resulted in increased neurites even in basal medium and no further effects were seen when Mg²⁺ was elevated. This system can now be used to study the multiple mechanisms by which Mg²⁺ influences neuronal biology.     

bFGF和EGF对胚胎神经干细胞分化为神经元及神经胶质细胞的影响

目的：观察碱性成纤维生长因子（bFGF）和表皮生长因子（EGF）对体外培养胚胎神经管神经干细胞生长和分化的影响。方法：从孕12天大鼠胚胎神经管分离神经干细胞，进行原代培养，分为bFGF组、EGF组、bFGF＋EGF组及对照组：培养过程中观察干细胞的生长，培养2小时做nestin染色鉴定神经干细胞，培养第5天用免疫组化方法检测培养细胞神经元特异烯醇化酶（NSE）和胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的表达，以观察神经干细胞分化为神经元及神经胶质细胞的状况。结果：取材细胞大部分为nestin免疫阳性细胞；各实验组均可促进培养细胞的生长和分 化。免疫组化中，EGF使神经干细胞增殖成团，增加GFAP的表达（P＜0．01）；bFGF能明显增加NSE及GFAP的表达（P＜0．01）；两种因子联合应用，神经元和神经胶质细胞均比对照组增多（P＜0．01）。结论：EGF和bFGF两类生长因子均能促进胚胎神经干细胞的生长，在分化方面，EGF倾向于诱导干细胞增并向着胶质细胞分化，bFGF则诱导干细胞分 成更多的神经元。     

PRMT1 and Btg2 regulates neurite outgrowth of Neuro2a cells

Neurite outgrowth is one of the crucial events in the formation of neural circuits. The majority of studies on neurite outgrowth have focused on signal transduction processes based on phosphorylation and acetylation; a few studies have suggested the involvement of other molecular mechanisms. Recent progress in understanding the nature of protein arginine N-methyltransferases (PRMTs) raises the possibility of the involvement of protein methylation accompanied by cell shape changes during neuronal differentiation. Here, we show that PRMT1 play a pivotal role in the neurite outgrowth of Neuro2a cells. Our results revealed that PRMT1 depletion specifically affected neurite outgrowth but not the physiological processes involved in cell growth and differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Btg2, one of the PRMT1 binding partner, depletion down-regulated arginine methylation in the nucleus and inhibited neurite outgrowth. These results indicate that protein arginine methylation by PRMT1 in the nucleus is an important step in neuritogenesis.     

Specific knock‐down of tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase mRNA levels inhibits intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 and HepG2 cells

The use of non‐specific inhibitors of tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) in pre‐adipocytes blocks intracellular lipid accumulation. TNSALP is also expressed in hepatocytes, which are known to accumulate lipid in a similar manner to pre‐adipocytes. The purpose of this study was to use specific silencing of TNSALP mRNA, using short interfering (si) RNA, to investigate the role of TNSALP in intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 and HepG2 cells. Cellular activity of TNSALP was measured using an automated colorimetric assay, and intracellular lipid accumulation was determined using the lipid‐specific dye, Oil Red O. Cells were transfected with siRNA directed against TNSALP mRNA, and expression of the TNSALP gene was determined at selected time points postinduction of lipid droplet formation. Expression of the TNSALP gene was inhibited by a maximum of 88 ± 1.9% (P < 0.005 vs. control) 11 days after initiation of lipid droplet formation in the 3T3‐L1 cells and 80 ± 8.9% (P < 0.05 vs. control) after 4 days in the HepG2 cells. This led to significant inhibition of both TNSALP activity and intracellular lipid accumulation in both cell lines. These data demonstrates that TNSALP plays an important role in the control of lipid droplet formation in both pre‐adipocyte and hepatocyte cell lines.     

胚胎海马来源干细胞移植治疗缺血性脑梗死的研究

目的： 对脑梗死大鼠进行胚胎海马来源的干细胞移植治疗,观察其能否在梗死灶部位分化为成熟的神经元而发挥神经替代作用,并最终改善动物的肢体功能。方法: 从绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)转基因SD胚胎大鼠的海马提取细胞进行体外培养,免疫荧光染色观察这些细胞的特征。光化学法制作大脑皮层局灶缺血梗死模型, 即光血栓皮层损伤(PCI)。PCI后1 d将20只SD大鼠随机分为干细胞移植组和对照组,前者在梗死灶附近植入胚胎海马来源的干细胞,而后者不进行干细胞移植。在PCI后1、7、14、21 d,用旋转实验对动物的肢体功能进行测试和评分。在PCI后3周和12周,以抗神经元核抗体(NeuN)染色成熟的神经元,观察移植干细胞的存活及其分化为各种亚型神经细胞的情况。结果: 来自SD大鼠胚胎海马的细胞明显表现出神经干细胞的特征。移植的细胞可以在脑梗死动物模型中至少存活12周,并能分化为成熟神经元、星形胶质细胞等亚型的神经细胞。与移植后3周相比,12周时的NeuN+/GFP+ 密度和移植物体积均有所减少(P<0.05)。旋转实验结果表明,在PCI后7、14、21 d,移植组动物在平衡木上的停留时间均显著长于对照组(P<0.01)。结论: 来源于胚胎海马的细胞具有神经干细胞特征,其被移植入脑梗死灶周围后能存活12周以上,并可以分化为成熟的神经细胞,这可能与动物运动功能的改善有关。该结果提示由移植物分化的神经细胞可能对受损宿主细胞发挥了替代作用。     

Human embryonic stem cells and macroporous calcium phosphate construct for bone regeneration in cranial defects in rats

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are an exciting cell source as they offer an unlimited supply of cells that can differentiate into all cell types for regenerative medicine applications. To date, there has been no report on hESCs with calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffolds for bone regeneration in vivo. The objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate hESCs for bone regeneration in vivo in critical-sized cranial defects in rats; and (ii) determine the effects of cell seeding and platelets in macroporous CPC on new bone and blood vessel formation. hESCs were cultured to yield mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which underwent osteogenic differentiation. Four groups were tested in rats: (i) CPC control without cells; (ii) CPC with hESC-derived MSCs (CPC + hESC-MSC); (iii) CPC with hESC-MSCs and 30% human platelet concentrate (hPC) (CPC + hESC-MSC + 30% hPC); and (iv) CPC + hESC-MSC + 50% hPC. In vitro, MSCs were derived from embryoid bodies of hESCs. Cells on CPC were differentiated into the osteogenic lineage, with highly elevated alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin expressions, as well as mineralization. At 12 weeks in vivo, the groups with hESC-MSCs and hPC had three times as much new bone as, and twice the blood vessel density of, the CPC control. The new bone in the defects contained osteocytes and blood vessels, and the new bone front was lined with osteoblasts. The group with 30% hPC and hESC-MSCs had a blood vessel density that was 49% greater than the hESC-MSC group without hPC, likely due to the various growth factors in the platelets enhancing both new bone and blood vessel formation. In conclusion, hESCs are promising for bone tissue engineering, and hPC can enhance new bone and blood vessel formation. Macroporous CPC with hESC-MSCs and hPC may be useful for bone regeneration in craniofacial and orthopedic applications.     

BMP10 as a potent inducer of trophoblast differentiation in human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are known to induce diverse differentiation fates in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). In the present study, we compared the potency at which BMP5, BMP10 and BMP13, which are members of distinct BMP subgroups due to differences in sequential and structural homology, induce differentiation in hESCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). We observed, in agreement with previous BMP4 model studies, that all ligands induced differentiation to the trophoblast lineage in the absence of bFGF. However, distinct BMPs exerted differences in the kinetics of induced differentiation, with BMP10 being the most potent. hiPSCs and hESCs shared comparable expression patterns of BMP type-I and -II receptor subtypes, which might explain conserved properties with respect to ligand potency and activation of SMAD-dependent (via SMAD1/5/8) and -independent (via MAPK p38) signal transduction pathways. The tested BMPs had distinct and also conserved target genes such as CDX2, DLX3, DLX5, GATA2, GATA3, HAND1, ID2, MSX2 and TFAP2A, known to be associated with the emergence of trophoblast cells. hESCs induced expression of the BMP antagonist NOGGIN as a protection mechanism to constrict extensive BMP action. Unlike BMP4, BMP10 has been shown to be resistant to NOGGIN-induced inhibition which in part might explain its potency. BMPs, in particular BMP4, are commonly used cytokines in differentiation protocols to generate diverse mesoderm- and endoderm-derivates from human pluripotent stem cells. Our study has identified BMP10, a cardiac-specific protein, as a superior alternative to BMP4 for inducing trophoblast differentiation in human pluripotent stem cells.     

Gallium nitride induces neuronal differentiation markers in neural stem/precursor cells derived from rat cerebral cortex

In the present study, gallium nitride (GaN) was used as a substrate to culture neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs), isolated from embryonic rat cerebral cortex, to examine the effect of GaN on the behavior of NSPCs in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in serum-free medium. Morphological studies showed that neurospheres maintained their initial shape and formed many long and thick processes with the fasciculate feature on GaN. Immunocytochemical characterization showed that GaN could induce the differentiation of NSPCs into neurons and astrocytes. Compared to poly-d-lysine (PDL), the most common substrate used for culturing neurons, there was considerable expression of synapsin I for differentiated neurons on GaN, suggesting GaN could induce the differentiation of NSPCs towards the mature differentiated neurons. Western blot analysis showed that the suppression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity was one of the effects of GaN-promoted NSPC differentiation into neurons. Finally, compared to PDL, GaN could significantly improve cell survival to reduce cell death after long-term culture. These results suggest that GaN potentially has a combination of electric characteristics suitable for developing neuron and/or NSPC chip systems.     

Actomyosin contractility plays a role in MAP2 expression during nanotopography-directed neuronal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the capability of differentiating into different lineages based on specific environmental cues. We had previously shown that hESCs can be primed to differentiate into either neurons or glial cells, depending on the arrangement, geometry and size of their substrate topography. In particular, anisotropically patterned substrates like gratings were found to favour the differentiation of hESCs into neurons rather than glial cells. In this study, our aim is to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of topography-induced differentiation of hESCs towards neuronal lineages. We show that high actomyosin contractility induced by a nano-grating topography is crucial for neuronal maturation. Treatment of cells with the myosin II inhibitor (blebbistatin) and myosin light chain kinase inhibitor (ML-7) greatly reduces the expression level of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). On the other hand, our qPCR array results showed that PAX5, BRN3A and NEUROD1 were highly expressed in hESCs grown on nano-grating substrates as compared to unpatterned substrates, suggesting the possible involvement of these genes in topography-mediated neuronal differentiation of hESCs. Interestingly, YAP was localized to the cytoplasm of differentiating hESCs. Taken together, our study has provided new insights in understanding the mechanotransduction of topographical cues during neuronal differentiation of hESCs.     

人胚胎干细胞建系、培养及体外诱导分化研究现状

胚胎干细胞具有体外无限增殖和分化成三胚层细胞的潜能,它已被视为治疗多种疾病的一种新兴策略。目前胚胎干细胞常规的建系和培养技术已很成熟,并有一套国际公认的鉴定标准。但常规方法存在异源病原体污染的可能,急需研究适于标准化、无动物源性污染及可大量培养胚胎干细胞的培养体系。在现阶段,通过不同的体外诱导途径可将胚胎干细胞诱导成为胚外和三胚层来源的各种细胞,但定向分化的问题仍亟需解决。