title: Formation of neurospheres from human embryonal carcinoma stem cells.
abstract: Embryonal carcinoma (EC) stem cells derived from germ cell tumours are valuable tools for the study of embryogenesis and closely resemble embryonic stem cells. When human TERA2.cl.SP12 EC cells are exposed to retinoic acid and grown as adherent monolayers, approximately 10-15% of cells commit toward becoming neurons whilst the remainder of cells produce non-neuronal cell types. Using established protocols it is possible to isolate and purify neurons from these cultures but such a process takes several weeks and the numbers of neurons produced are relatively low. In this study, we describe the development of novel procedures to enhance neuronal productivity with dramatically increased efficiency, which will be of value for research purposes and drug discovery programmes.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors.forename: Grace M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Horrocks
authors.forename: Lyndsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lauder
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Przyborski
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002999:Clone Cells; D054278:Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells; D006801:Humans; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface