Directing the differentiation of embryonic stem cells to neural stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a potential source of neural derivatives that can be used in stem cell-based therapies designed to treat neurological disorders. The derivation of specific neuronal or glial cell types from ESCs invariably includes the production of neural stem cells (NSCs). We describe the basic mechanisms of neural induction during vertebrate embryogenesis and how this information helped formulate several protocols used to generate NSCs from ESCs. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and review what has been learned about the intermediate stages in the transition from ESC to NSC. Recent data describing how specific growth factors and signaling molecules regulate production of NSCs are described and a model synthesizing this information is presented.
Cai
Chunyu
C
Biology Department, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06459-1070, USA.
Grabel
Laura
L
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction