title: Lessons from the embryonic neural stem cell niche for neural lineage differentiation of pluripotent stem cells.
abstract: Pluripotent stem cells offer an abundant and malleable source for the generation of differentiated cells for transplantation as well as for in vitro screens. Patterning and differentiation protocols have been developed to generate neural progeny from human embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells. However, continued refinement is required to enhance efficiency and to prevent the generation of unwanted cell types. We summarize and interpret insights gained from studies of embryonic neuroepithelium. A multitude of factors including soluble molecules, interactions with the extracellular matrix and neighboring cells cooperate to control neural stem cell self-renewal versus differentiation. Applying these findings and concepts to human stem cell systems in vitro may yield more appropriately patterned cell types for biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: Emmy Noether Group for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Valeriya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Solozobova
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wyvekens
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pruszak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016764:Cell Polarity; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D055153:Stem Cell Niche
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins