title: Equivalent neurogenic potential of wild-type and GFP-labeled fetal-derived neural progenitor cells before and after transplantation into the rodent hippocampus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hippocampal formation is a specific structure in the brain where neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood and in which the neuronal cell loss causes various demential states. The main goal of this study was to verify whether fetal neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from transgenic rats expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) retain the ability to differentiate into neuronal cells and to integrate into the hippocampal circuitry after transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  NPCs were isolated from E14 (gestational age: 14 days postconception) transgenic-Lewis and wild-type Sprague-Dawley rat embryos. Wild-type and transgenic cells were expanded and induced to differentiate into a neuronal lineage in vitro. Immunocytochemical and electrophysiological analysis were performed in both groups. GFP-expressing cells were implanted into the hippocampus and recorded electrophysiologically 3 months thereafter. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed neuronal differentiation, and the yield of neuronal cells was determined stereologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NPCs derived from wild-type and transgenic animals are similar regarding their ability to generate neuronal cells in vitro. Neuronal maturity was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology, with demonstration of voltage-gated ionic currents, firing activity, and spontaneous synaptic currents. GFP-NPCs were also able to differentiate into mature neurons after implantation into the hippocampus, where they formed functional synaptic contacts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GFP-transgenic cells represent an important tool in transplantation studies. Herein, we demonstrate their ability to generate functional neurons both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Neurons derived from fetal NPCs were able to integrate into the normal hippocampal circuitry. The high yield of mature neurons generated render these cells important candidates for restorative approaches based on cell therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. lepski@gmail.com
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lepski
authors.forename: Cinthia E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Jannes
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wessolleck
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nikkhah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D064231:Nestin; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D055495:Neurogenesis; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D055647:Rats, Transgenic
chemical_list: D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577486:Nes protein, rat; D064231:Nestin; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins