title: Dopaminergic neuronal differentiation from rat embryonic neural precursors by Nurr1 overexpression.
abstract: In vitro expanded CNS precursors could provide a renewable source of dopamine (DA) neurons for cell therapy in Parkinson's disease. Functional DA neurons have been derived previously from early midbrain precursors. Here we demonstrate the ability of Nurr1, a nuclear orphan receptor essential for midbrain DA neuron development in vivo, to induce dopaminergic differentiation in naïve CNS precursors in vitro. Independent of gestational age or brain region of origin, Nurr1-induced precursors expressed dopaminergic markers and exhibited depolarization-evoked DA release in vitro. However, these cells were less mature and secreted lower levels of DA than those derived from mesencephalic precursors. Transplantation of Nurr1-induced DA neuron precursors resulted in limited survival and in vivo differentiation. No behavioral improvement in apomorphine-induced rotation scores was observed. These results demonstrate that Nurr1 induces dopaminergic features in naïve CNS precursors in vitro. However, additional factors will be required to achieve in vivo function and to unravel the full potential of neural precursors for cell therapy in Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, and Institute of Mental Health, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Ji-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mi-Yoon
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: You-Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hee-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hyeon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Yong-Sung
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Studer
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Sang-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C539884:Nr4a2 protein, rat; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D001058:Apomorphine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D004298:Dopamine