[Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neuronal cells in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the probabilities of embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiating into neuronal cells in vitro.


METHODS
Mouse ES-D3 cells were cultured on the ES conditioned media without mLIF (mouse leukemic inhibitory factor, mLIF) for 4 days until ES cell aggregations was formed (embryonic bodies, EBs). The EBs were dissociated with trypsin and exposed to retinoic acid (RA) for another 4 days, and then replated onto adhesive substrate. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay were performed to identify the properties of the differentiated cells.


RESULTS
The treated cells expressed neuronal proteins such as MAP-2 and GFAP. RT-PCR assay further identified that the induced cells expressed transcripts for neural associated genes including GABA-gamma subunit receptor, brain factor-1 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH).


CONCLUSIONS
ES cells can be successfully induced into neuronal cells expressing multiple properties of neurons in vitro, which could provide resourceful materials for neural transplantation.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China.
S
S
Tang
G
G
Qiu
B
B
Huang
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014212:Tretinoin