title: Induced neuronal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.
abstract: Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells capable of forming differentiated embryoid bodies (EBs) in culture. We examined the ability of growth factors under controlled conditions to increase the number of human ES cell-derived neurons. Retinoic acid (RA) and nerve growth factor (betaNGF) were found to be potent enhancers of neuronal differentiation, eliciting extensive outgrowth of processes and the expression of neuron-specific molecules. Our findings show that human ES cells have great potential to become an unlimited cell source for neurons in culture. These cells may then be used in transplantation therapies for neural pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University, Givat-Ram Campus, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schuldiner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eiges
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eden
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yanuka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Itskovitz-Eldor
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Benvenisty
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016380:Brain Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004296:Dopa Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics; D005333:Fetus; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000235:genetics; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006133:Growth Substances; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C044882:neurofilament protein L; C051774:neurofilament protein H; D014212:Tretinoin; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D004296:Dopa Decarboxylase