title: BAC transgenesis in human embryonic stem cells as a novel tool to define the human neural lineage.
abstract: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have enormous potential for applications in basic biology and regenerative medicine. However, harnessing the potential of hESCs toward generating homogeneous populations of specialized cells remains challenging. Here we describe a novel technology for the genetic identification of defined hESC-derived neural cell types using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis. We generated hESC lines stably expressing Hes5::GFP, Dll1::GFP, and HB9::GFP BACs that yield green fluorescent protein (GFP)(+) neural stem cells, neuroblasts, and motor neurons, respectively. Faithful reporter expression was confirmed by cell fate analysis and appropriate transgene regulation. Prospective isolation of HB9::GFP(+) cells yielded purified human motor neurons with proper marker expression and electrophysiological activity. Global mRNA and microRNA analyses of Hes5::GFP(+) and HB9::GFP(+) populations revealed highly specific expression signatures, suggesting that BAC transgenesis will be a powerful tool for establishing expression libraries that define the human neural lineage and for accessing defined cell types in applications of human disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, New York, USA. dip9011@nyp.org
authors.forename: Dimitris G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Placantonakis
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tomishima
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lafaille
authors.forename: Sabrina C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Desbordes
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Nicholas D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Socci
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viale
authors.forename: Hyojin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tabar
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Studer
mesh_terms: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D022202:Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C077478:HES5 protein, human