Isolation and directed differentiation of neural crest stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cells.
Vertebrate neural crest development depends on pluripotent, migratory precursor cells. Although avian and murine neural crest stem (NCS) cells have been identified, the isolation of human NCS cells has remained elusive. Here we report the derivation of NCS cells from human embryonic stem cells at the neural rosette stage. We show that NCS cells plated at clonal density give rise to multiple neural crest lineages. The human NCS cells can be propagated in vitro and directed toward peripheral nervous system lineages (peripheral neurons, Schwann cells) and mesenchymal lineages (smooth muscle, adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic cells). Transplantation of human NCS cells into the developing chick embryo and adult mouse hosts demonstrates survival, migration and differentiation compatible with neural crest identity. The availability of unlimited numbers of human NCS cells offers new opportunities for studies of neural crest development and for efforts to model and treat neural crest-related disorders.
Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave., New York, New York 10021, USA.
Gabsang
G
Lee
Hyesoo
H
Kim
Yechiel
Y
Elkabetz
George
G
Al Shamy
Georgia
G
Panagiotakos
Tiziano
T
Barberi
Viviane
V
Tabar
Lorenz
L
Studer
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*