Human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons as a tool for studying neuroprotection and neurodegeneration.
The capacity to generate myriad differentiated cell types, including neurons, from human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines offers great potential for developing cell-based therapies and also for increasing our understanding of human developmental mechanisms. In addition, the emerging development of this technology as an experimental tool represents a potential opportunity for neuroscientists interested in mechanisms of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration. Potentially unlimited generation of well-defined functional neurons from hES and patient-specific induced pluripotent cells offers new systems to study disease mechanisms, signalling pathways and receptor pharmacology within a human cellular environment. Such systems may help in overcoming interspecies differences. Far from replacing rodent in vivo and primary culture systems, hES and induced disease-specific pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons offer a complementary resource to overcome issues of interspecies differences, accelerate drug discovery, study of disease mechanism and provide basic insight into human neuronal physiology.
Hardingham
Giles E
GE
Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH89XD, UK. Giles.Hardingham@ed.ac.uk
Patani
Rickie
R
Baxter
Paul
P
Wyllie
David J
DJ
Chandran
Siddharthan
S
D001665:Binding Sites; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013045:Species Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D014157:Transcription Factors