title: Derivation, propagation, and characterization of neuroprogenitors from pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and hiPSCs).
abstract: The differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) towards functional neurons particularly hold great potential for the cell-based replacement therapy in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe a stepwise differentiation protocol that mimics the early stage of neural development in human to promote the generation of neuroprogenitors at a high yield. Both the hESCs and hiPSCs are initially cultured in an optimized feeder-free condition, which offer an efficient formation of aggregates. To specify the neuroectodermal specification, these aggregates are differentiated in a defined neural induction medium to develop into neural rosettes-like structures. The rosettes are expanded into free-floating sphere and can be further propagated or developed into variety of neuronal subtypes.
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Khun-Hong
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lie
authors.forename: Henry C Y
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Kuldip S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Sidhu
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*