title: Monitoring the differentiation and migration patterns of neural cells derived from human embryonic stem cells using a microfluidic culture system.
abstract: Microfluidics can provide unique experimental tools to visualize the development of neural structures within a microscale device, which is followed by guidance of neurite growth in the axonal isolation compartment. We utilized microfluidics technology to monitor the differentiation and migration of neural cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We co-cultured hESCs with PA6 stromal cells, and isolated neural rosette-like structures, which subsequently formed neurospheres in suspension culture. Tuj1-positive neural cells, but not nestin-positive neural precursor cells (NPCs), were able to enter the microfluidics grooves (microchannels), suggesting that neural cell-migratory capacity was dependent upon neuronal differentiation stage. We also showed that bundles of axons formed and extended into the microchannels. Taken together, these results demonstrated that microfluidics technology can provide useful tools to study neurite outgrowth and axon guidance of neural cells, which are derived from human embryonic stem cells.
authors.affiliation: CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, Seoul 135-081, Korea.
authors.forename: Nayeon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyung Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ju Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yeon
authors.forename: Jihye
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Jung Jae
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Seung-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hyun Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Aeri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Baek Soo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sang Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Noo Li
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Jihwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology