胚胎干细胞体外分化为多巴胺能神经元

近年来,胚胎干细胞在体外分化为多巴胺能神经元方面取得了重大突破,这对神经发生的基础性研究和神经细胞移植具有重要意义。现对胚胎干细胞体外定向诱导分化为多巴胺能神经元的方法、相关细胞因子及检测鉴定等方面进行了分析和比较,并探讨了当前存在的问题和今后发展的方向。     

人胚胎干细胞定向分化为神经前体细胞

采用单层贴壁分化的方法在无血清条件下诱导同源饲养层培养的人胚胎干细胞定向分化,得到了高比例的神经前体细胞(97.5±0.83)%(P<0.05)。这些神经前体细胞具有分化为神经元、星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞的能力。在长期的传代培养中发现,随着培养时间的延长,nestin阳性的神经前体细胞比例下降,同时发育能力也发生了变化。在传代培养的早期,神经前体细胞发育为神经元的比例很高,几乎没有胶质细胞分化出来。随着培养时间的延长,胶质细胞的比例逐渐上升。这与体内神经系统的发育过程非常相似。进一步研究发现具有bHLH(basic helix-loop-helix)结构域的转录因子neurogenein2(Ngn2)和Olig2可能在这一变化中起重要作用。因此,人胚胎干细胞来源的神经前体细胞能够模拟体内神经发育的模式,为在体外研究人的神经发育和再生医学奠定了基础。     

In Vitro Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Neurons of the Dorsal Forebrain

Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are able to differentiate into all cell types in the organism including cortical neurons. To follow the dynamic generation of progenitors of the dorsal forebrain in vitro, we generated ESCs from D6-GFP mice in which GFP marks neocortical progenitors and neurons after embryonic day (E) 10.5. We used several cell culture protocols for differentiation of ESCs into progenitors and neurons of the dorsal forebrain. In cell culture, GFP-positive cells were induced under differentiation conditions in quickly formed embryoid bodies (qEBs) after 10–12 day incubation. Activation of Wnt signaling during ESC differentiation further stimulated generation of D6-GFP-positive cortical cells. In contrast, differentiation protocols using normal embryoid bodies (nEBs) yielded only a few D6-GFP-positive cells. Gene expression analysis revealed that multiple components of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway were expressed during the development of embryoid bodies. As shown by immunohistochemistry and quantitative qRT-PCR, D6-GFP-positive cells from qEBs expressed genes that are characteristic for the dorsal forebrain such as Pax6, Dach1, Tbr1, Tbr2, or Sox5. qEBs culture allowed the formation of a D6-GFP positive pseudo-polarized neuroepithelium with the characteristic presence of N-cadherin at the apical pole resembling the structure of the developing neocortex.     

Neural Differentiation of Rat Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Vitro

It is reported that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) had multilineage differentiation potential, and could differentiate into neuron-like cells induced by special induction media, which may provide a new idea for restoration of erectile dysfunction (ED) after cavernous nerve injury. The aim of this research was to explore the neuronal differentiation potential of ADSCs in vitro. ADSCs isolated from inguinal adipose tissue of rat were characterized by flow cytometry, and results showed that ADSCs were positive for mesenchymal stem cell markers CD90 and CD44, but negative for hematopoietic stem cell markers. ADSCs maintained self-renewing capacity and could differentiate into adipocytes and neurocytes under special culture condition. In this research, two methods were used to induce ADSCs. In method 1, ADSCs were treated with the preinduction medium including epithelium growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for 3?days, then with the neurogenic induction medium containing isobutylmethylxanthine, indomethacin, and insulin. While in method 2, BDNF was not used to treat ADSCs. After induction, neuronal differentiation of ADSCs was evaluated. Neuronal markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ??-tubulin III (Tuj-1) were detected by immunofluorescence and Western Blot analyses. The expressions of GFAP and Tuj-1 in method 1 were obviously higher then those in method 2. In addition, the positive rate of the neuron-like cells was higher in method 1. It suggested that ADSCs are able to differentiate into neural-like cells in vitro, and the administration of BDNF in the preinduction medium may provide a new way to modify the culture method for getting more neuron-like cells in vitro.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞在单层粘附培养中向神经细胞的分化

目的 :探讨小鼠胚胎干 (ES)细胞在无血清培养基中以单层粘附培养方式向神经分化的方法。方法 :比较ES细胞在不同培养基中的生长情况 ,分析ES细胞在不同时间分化形成神经细胞的比例。结果 :( 1 )DMEM F1 2和Neurobasal B2 7的 1∶1混合培养基最适合ES的生长。 ( 2 )单层粘附的ES细胞表达神经细胞粘附分子 (NCAM)的比例随时间增长而增加 ,而nestin的表达先增加后下降。 ( 3)ES细胞可在两周分化为神经胶质及神经元 ,形成神经网络。结论 :小鼠ES细胞可在单层粘附培养中获得向神经的高效分化。     

胚胎干细胞体外诱导分化

胚胎干细胞能在体外长期不断自我更新,具有高度分化潜能,可分化成胎儿和成体的几乎所有类型的细胞,如心肌细胞、神经细胞、上皮细胞、肝细胞、血细胞、胰岛细胞、脂肪细胞及生殖细胞等。在细胞治疗和组织器官替代治疗、发育生物学等的研究中将具有广阔的应用前景。目前已有多种胚胎干细胞体外定向诱导的报道。本文从体外诱导分化影响因素和几种主要诱导细胞类型进行分析和总结,为胚胎干细胞的诱导分化研究提供参考资料。     

胚胎干细胞体外诱导分化

胚胎干细胞能在体外长期不断自我更新,具有高度分化潜能,可分化成胎儿和成体的几乎所有类型的细胞,如心肌细胞、神经细胞、上皮细胞、肝细胞、血细胞、胰岛细胞、脂肪细胞及生殖细胞等.在细胞治疗和组织器官替代治疗、发育生物学等的研究中将具有广阔的应用前景.目前已有多种胚胎干细胞体外定向诱导的报道.本文从体外诱导分化影响因素和几种主要诱导细胞类型进行分析和总结,为胚胎干细胞的诱导分化研究提供参考资料.     

In Vitro Germ Cell Differentiation from Cynomolgus Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells

Background

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into female and male germ cells in vitro. Primate ES cells can also differentiate into immature germ cells in vitro. However, little is known about the differentiation markers and culture conditions for in vitro germ cell differentiation from ES cells in primates. Monkey ES cells are thus considered to be a useful model to study primate gametogenesis in vitro. Therefore, in order to obtain further information on germ cell differentiation from primate ES cells, this study examined the ability of cynomolgus monkey ES cells to differentiate into germ cells in vitro.

Methods and Findings

To explore the differentiation markers for detecting germ cells differentiated from ES cells, the expression of various germ cell marker genes was examined in tissues and ES cells of the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). VASA is a valuable gene for the detection of germ cells differentiated from ES cells. An increase of VASA expression was observed when differentiation was induced in ES cells via embryoid body (EB) formation. In addition, the expression of other germ cell markers, such as NANOS and PIWIL1 genes, was also up-regulated as the EB differentiation progressed. Immunocytochemistry identified the cells expressing stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA) 1, OCT-4, and VASA proteins in the EBs. These cells were detected in the peripheral region of the EBs as specific cell populations, such as SSEA1-positive, OCT-4-positive cells, OCT-4-positive, VASA-positive cells, and OCT-4-negative, VASA-positive cells. Thereafter, the effect of mouse gonadal cell-conditioned medium and growth factors on germ cell differentiation from monkey ES cells was examined, and this revealed that the addition of BMP4 to differentiating ES cells increased the expression of SCP1, a meiotic marker gene.

Conclusion

VASA is a valuable gene for the detection of germ cells differentiated from ES cells in monkeys, and the identification and characterization of germ cells derived from ES cells are possible by using reported germ cell markers in vivo, including SSEA1, OCT-4, and VASA, in vitro as well as in vivo. These findings are thus considered to help elucidate the germ cell developmental process in primates.     

The Effects of Co-Culture of Embryonic Stem Cells with Neural Stem Cells on Differentiation

Researching the technology for in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into neural lineages is very important in developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy. Thus, studies on in vitro differentiation of ESCs into neural lineages by co-culture are expected to improve our understanding of this process. A co-culture system has long been used to study interactions between cell populations, improve culture efficiency, and establish synthetic interactions between populations. In this study, we investigated the effect of a co-culture of ESCs with neural stem cells (NSCs) in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions. Furthermore, we examined the effect of an NSC-derived conditioned medium (CM) on ESC differentiation. OG2-ESCs lost the specific morphology of colonies and Oct4-GFP when co-cultured with NSC. Additionally, real-time PCR analysis showed that ESCs co-cultured with NSCs expressed higher levels of ectoderm markers Pax6 and Sox1 under both co-culture conditions. However, the differentiation efficiency of CM was lower than that of the non-conditioned medium. Collectively, our results show that co-culture with NSCs promotes the differentiation of ESCs into the ectoderm.     

Derivation of T Cells In Vitro from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

The OP9/OP9-DL1 co-culture system has become a well-established method for deriving differentiated blood cell types from embryonic and hematopoietic progenitors of both mouse and human origin. It is now used to address a growing variety of complex genetic, cellular and molecular questions related to hematopoiesis, and is at the cutting edge of efforts to translate these basic findings to therapeutic applications. The procedures are straightforward and routinely yield robust results. However, achieving successful hematopoietic differentiation in vitro requires special attention to the details of reagent and cell culture maintenance. Furthermore, the protocol features technique sensitive steps that, while not difficult, take care and practice to master. Here we focus on the procedures for differentiation of T lymphocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). We provide a detailed protocol with discussions of the critical steps and parameters that enable reproducibly robust cellular differentiation in vitro. It is in the interest of the field to consider wider adoption of this technology, as it has the potential to reduce animal use, lower the cost and shorten the timelines of both basic and translational experimentation.     

Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Serum-free Monolayer Culture

The ability to differentiate mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) to neural progenitors allows the study of the mechanisms controlling neural specification as well as the generation of mature neural cell types for further study. In this protocol we describe a method for the differentiation of ESC to neural progenitors using serum-free, monolayer culture. The method is scalable, efficient and results in production of ~70% neural progenitor cells within 4 - 6 days. It can be applied to ESC from various strains grown under a variety of conditions. Neural progenitors can be allowed to differentiate further into functional neurons and glia or analyzed by microscopy, flow cytometry or molecular techniques. The differentiation process is amenable to time-lapse microscopy and can be combined with the use of reporter lines to monitor the neural specification process. We provide detailed instructions on media preparation and cell density optimization to allow the process to be applied to most ESC lines and a variety of cell culture vessels.     

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Promote In Vitro Neuronal Differentiation and Neurite Outgrowth of Embryonic Neural Stem Cells via Up-Regulating TRPC1

Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) can enhance hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mice. However, little is focused on the effects of ELF-EMFs on embryonic neurogenesis. Here, we studied the potential effects of ELF-EMFs on embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs). We exposed eNSCs to ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 1 mT) for 1, 2, and 3 days with 4 hours per day. We found that eNSC proliferation and maintenance were significantly enhanced after ELF-EMF exposure in proliferation medium. ELF-EMF exposure increased the ratio of differentiated neurons and promoted the neurite outgrowth of eNSC-derived neurons without influencing astrocyes differentiation and the cell apoptosis. In addition, the expression of the proneural genes, NeuroD and Ngn1, which are crucial for neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth, was increased after ELF-EMF exposure. Moreover, the expression of transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) was significantly up-regulated accompanied by increased the peak amplitude of intracellular calcium level induced by ELF-EMF. Furthermore, silencing TRPC1 expression eliminated the up-regulation of the proneural genes and the promotion of neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth induced by ELF-EMF. These results suggest that ELF-EMF exposure promotes the neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth of eNSCs via up-regulation the expression of TRPC1 and proneural genes (NeuroD and Ngn1). These findings also provide new insights in understanding the effects of ELF-EMF exposure on embryonic brain development.     

胚胎干细胞体外分化为造血干细胞

造血干细胞移植已成为治疗白血病、再生障碍性贫血、重症免疫缺陷征、地中海贫血、急性放射病、某些恶性实体瘤和淋巴瘤等造血及免疫系统功能障碍性疾病的成熟技术和重要手段,另外这一技术还被尝试用于治疗艾滋病,已取得积极的效果。但是由于移植需要配型相同的供体,并且过程复杂,使得造血干细胞移植因缺少配型相同的供体来源以及费用昂贵而不能被广泛应用。胚胎干细胞是一种能够在体外保持未分化状态并且能进行无限增殖的细胞,在适合条件下能够分化为体内各种类型的细胞,研究胚胎干细胞分化为造血干细胞,不仅可作为研究动物的早期造血发生的模型,而且可以增加造血干细胞的来源,还可以通过基因剔除、治疗性克隆等方法来解决移植排斥的问题,从而为造血干细胞移植的发展扫除了障碍,因此有着重要的研究价值和应用前景。现对胚胎干细胞体外分化为造血干细胞的诱导方法,诱导过程中的调控机制,并对胚胎干细胞分化为造血干细胞的存在问题和发展前景进行讨论。     

Embryonic Stem Cells: Spontaneous and Directed Differentiation

The specific structural features of embryonic stem cells and embryoid bodies and mechanisms of their differentiation in different cell types are considered. The mouse embryonic stem cells (line R1) formed multilayer colonies which enlarged as a result of fast cell division. Embryoid bodies that derived from embryonic stem cells consisted of an outer layer, an inner layer, and an internal cavity. The structure of cells of the outer and inner layers markedly differed. Spontaneous and directed differentiation of embryoid bodies is determined by some unspecific and specific factors (growth and differentiation factors and extracellular matrix proteins). Retinoic acid, the most commonly used inducer of differentiation of the embryonic stem cells, induces different types of differentiation when applied at different concentrations. The sequence of expression of tissue specific genes and proteins during differentiation of the embryonic stem cells in vitrois similar to that in vivo.     

脂肪间充质干细胞体外分化成心肌样细胞

探讨大鼠脂肪间充质干细胞（adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells,AMSC）体外分化成心肌样细胞的潜能,为自体干细胞移植治疗心肌梗死提供理论基础.采用消化法分离大鼠AMSC,培养于RPMI1640生长培养基中,倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态发现,随着培养时间的延长,细胞形态趋向于心肌细胞,SQ RT-PCR检测表达心肌特异性基因：β-肌球蛋白重链（β-MHC）、α-肌球蛋白重链（α-MHC）、心房利钠肽（ANP）、心肌肌钙蛋白（cTnT）、心肌肌动蛋白、肌肉增强因子和GATA-4;免疫细胞化学和免疫荧光染色检测表达心肌细胞特异性蛋白：结蛋白、横纹肌辅肌动蛋白、心肌肌动蛋白和间隙连接蛋白45(connexin 45);Western印迹检测表达心肌特异性蛋白Nkx2.5. 实验表明,大鼠AMSC在体外培养条件下能分化成心肌样细胞,在组织工程学及干细胞移植领域有着良好的应用前景.     

胚胎干细胞向肝实质细胞体外定向诱导分化过程中的肝卵圆细胞

如果肝脏严重受损致使肝细胞大部分坏死,或由于某些原因 ( 肝毒性物质、致癌物质的作用 ) 抑制残存肝细胞增殖时,肝内前体／干细胞———肝卵圆细胞便被激活并分化生成肝细胞和胆管细胞等以参与肝修复 . 基于此理论,人们建立了啮齿类动物肝卵圆细胞诱导实验模型 . 但显然上述模型不适用于人类,所以有必要开发一种适用于人类的、高效的肝卵圆细胞的新诱导模型 . 选用小鼠胚胎干细胞,转成拟胚体分化 3 天后分组,诱导组添加肝细胞生长因子 (HGF) 、表皮生长因子 (EGF) 作定向诱导分化 . 其间用免疫细胞化学 (ICC) 检测肝卵圆细胞标志物 A6 等的表达,用流式细胞仪筛选肝卵圆细胞并行 RT-PCR 、透射电镜检测 . 所筛选的肝卵圆细胞进一步体外培养并进行 ICC 和 RT-PCR ,检测其分化生成成熟的肝细胞和胆管细胞的能力 . 研究证实胚胎干细胞体外定向诱导生成肝实质细胞的过程中,存在着有双向分化能力的肝卵圆细胞这个中间分化阶段 . 诱导组肝卵圆细胞分化率均显著地高于对照组,最高时可达 6.11% 左右 . HGF 和 EGF 能显著性诱导胚胎干细胞源性卵圆细胞的生成 . 流式细胞仪筛选 Sca-1+/CD34+ 细胞占总细胞数的 4.59% ,其中 A6 阳性肝卵圆细胞占 90.81% 左右 . 使用流式细胞仪可获得高富集的 A6+/Sca-1+/CD34+ 肝卵圆细胞 . 提供了一种可适用于人类的肝卵圆细胞的新诱导模型 .     

Overexpression of CDK5 in Neural Stem Cells Facilitates Maturation of Embryonic Neurocytes Derived from Rats In Vitro

To further understand the effects of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) on the differentiation of neural stem cells, which were cultured and transfected with CDK5-EGFP recombinant overexpression vector (OV-CDK5 Group), successful transfection was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Our results showed that the CDK5 mRNA expression significantly increased in 6 h after transfection. Increase in the levels of the CDK5 protein expression was observed in 72 h, compared with Empty Vector Control Group (EV-CTL Group) (P < 0.01). Furthermore, in OV-CDK5 Group, the percentage of S-phase cells was significantly higher than in EV-CTL Group (P < 0.01). Differentiated cells were showed with short processes in 24 h and with obviously enlarged cell body, and extended cellular processes in 72 h, in comparison to those in EV-CTL Group (P < 0.01). In 72 h under treatment with 10 μmol/L all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), in OV-CDK5 Group, processes of the GFP-positive cells were reduced slightly and little GFP-positive debris was found. However, in the EV-CTL Group, processes of the GFP-positive cells were obviously shortened and deformed and much GFP-positive debris were found. Moreover, the percentage of G0/G1-phase cells was lesser, while the percentage of S-phase cells was higher than that in EV-CTL Group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). In conclusion, our experiment suggested that CDK5 might promote proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, lengthen the processes of differentiated neurocytes, and accelerate morphological maturation of such cells. Furthermore, CDK5 might antagonize ATRA-induced inhibition against proliferation and differentiation in differentiated neurocytes.     

胚胎干细胞向肝细胞诱导分化

胚胎干细胞具有分化成三胚层细胞的潜能。它已被视为治疗多种疾痛的一种新兴策略。在现阶段,通过不同的诱导途径可将胚胎干细胞诱导成为肝细胞：体外诱导、体内诱导以及体外和体内相结合诱导分化。然而从体内实验结果来看,其嵌合率及分化率不高,这是一个亟需解决的问题,否则就无法成功地将其应用于临床治疗。     

Cellular Environment Directs Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood�CDerived Neural Stem Cells In Vitro

Cord blood–derived neural stem cells (NSCs) are proposed as an alternative cell source to repair brain damage upon transplantation. However, there is a lack of data showing how these cells are driven to generate desired phenotypes by recipient nervous tissue. Previous research indicates that local environment provides signals driving the fate of stem cells. To investigate the impact of these local cues interaction, the authors used a model of cord blood–derived NSCs co-cultured with different rat brain–specific primary cultures, creating the neural-like microenvironment conditions in vitro. Neuronal and astro-, oligo-, and microglia cell cultures were obtained by the previously described methods. The CMFDA-labeled neural stem cells originated from, non-transformed human umbilical cord blood cell line (HUCB-NSCs) established in a laboratory. The authors show that the close vicinity of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes promotes neuronal differentiation of HUCB-NSCs, whereas postmitotic neurons induce oligodendrogliogenesis of these cells. In turn, microglia or endothelial cells do not favor any phenotypes of their neural commitment. Studies have confirmed that HUCB-NSCs can read cues from the neurogenic microenvironment, attaining features of neurons, astrocytes, or oligodendrocytes. The specific responses of neurally committed cord blood–derived cells, reported in this work, are very much similar to those described previously for NSCs derived from other “more typical” sources. This further proves their genuine neural nature. Apart from having a better insight into the neurogenesis in the adult brain, these findings might be important when predicting cord blood cell derivative behavior after their transplantation for neurological disorders.