title: The full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions and step-changes in oxygen tension affects the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.
abstract: The beneficial impact of lowering oxygen tension to physiological levels has been demonstrated in a number of stem cell differentiation protocols. The majority of these studies compare normal laboratory oxygen tension with one physiological condition (typically 2-5% O(2) ). In this article, we investigated whether the full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions (0-20% O(2) ) and step-changes in oxygen tension could enhance the production of neural populations from of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We used a model system for the conversion of mouse ESCs into cells expressing one neuroectoderm stem cell marker (nestin) and two neural markers (βIII tubulin and microtubule-associated protein (MAP2)). 4-10% O(2) was associated with large increases in the total production of viable cells and the highest number of cells expressing Nestin, βIII tubulin, and MAP2. However, 4-10% O(2) also caused a reduction in the percentage of cells expressing all three markers. Step changes in oxygen tension at the mid-point of the differentiation process affected the total production of viable cells and the percentage of cells expressing all three markers. We found that the initial oxygen tension and the magnitude of the step-change were critical variables. A step increase from 0 to 2% O(2) mid-way through the protocol resulted in the highest percentage of cells expressing βIII tubulin (86.5%). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions and step changes in oxygen tension represent a powerful tool for the optimisation of neural differentiation processes.
authors: The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Dept. of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, UK.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Mondragon-Teran
authors: Jasmin Z
authors: JZ
authors: Baboo
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Mason
authors: Gary J
authors: GJ
authors: Lye
authors: Farlan S
authors: FS
authors: Veraitch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D064231:Nestin; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577485:Nes protein, mouse; D064231:Nestin; D010100:Oxygen