Generating chimeric spinal cord: a novel model for transplantable oligodendrocyte progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and evaluate stem cell-derived oligodendrocytes obtained for cell transplantation therapies, the authors developed a novel model to examine single, adult oligodendrocytes in situ.


METHODS
Green fluorescent protein-expressing, mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were neural induced and additionally staged in an oligosphere preparatory step for high-yield derivation of oligodendrocyte progenitors. These transplantable, induced progenitors were injected into postnatal Day 2 rat pups, in which spinal cord sections were then examined at 3 and 9 weeks posttransplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Transplanted oligosphere ESCs survived and integrated anatomically into postnatal and adult white matter, generating targeted regions of chimeric spinal cord. A simple model for identifying adult oligodendrocytes in situ is presented, which is suitable for use in further studies examining functional myelination and derivation of oligodendrocytes from genetically engineered ESC lines, including human ESCs. Results from the model presented here demonstrate a unique method for examining transplantable oligodendrocyte progenitors derived from ESCs for repair of white matter disease.
Vadivelu
Sudhakar
S
The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Becker
Daniel
D
McDonald
John W
JW
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins