Electrical stimulation modulates fate determination of differentiating embryonic stem cells.
A clear understanding of cell fate regulation during differentiation is key in successfully using stem cells for therapeutic applications. Here, we report that mild electrical stimulation strongly influences embryonic stem cells to assume a neuronal fate. Although the resulting neuronal cells showed no sign of specific terminal differentiation in culture, they showed potential to differentiate into various types of neurons in vivo, and, in adult mice, contributed to the injured spinal cord as neuronal cells. Induction of calcium ion influx is significant in this differentiation system. This phenomenon opens up possibilities for understanding novel mechanisms underlying cellular differentiation and early development, and, perhaps more importantly, suggests possibilities for treatments in medical contexts.
Yamada
Masahisa
M
Laboratory for Cell Culture Development, Yamada Research Unit, Molecular Neuropathology Group, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
Tanemura
Kentaro
K
Okada
Seiji
S
Iwanami
Akio
A
Nakamura
Masaya
M
Mizuno
Hideaki
H
Ozawa
Michiru
M
Ohyama-Goto
Ritsuko
R
Kitamura
Naohito
N
Kawano
Masako
M
Tan-Takeuchi
Kyoko
K
Ohtsuka
Chiho
C
Miyawaki
Atsushi
A
Takashima
Akihiko
A
Ogawa
Masaharu
M
Toyama
Yoshiaki
Y
Okano
Hideyuki
H
Kondo
Takashi
T
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*
D002118:Calcium