title: Differentiation of neuron-like cells from mouse parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells.
abstract: Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have pluripotent differentiation potentials, akin to fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. The aim of this study was to compare the neuronal differentiation potential of parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Before differentiation, karyotype analysis was performed, with normal karyotypes detected in both parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Sex chromosomes were identified as XX. Immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR detected high expression of the pluripotent gene, Oct4, at both the mRNA and protein levels, indicating pluripotent differentiation potential of the two embryonic stem cell subtypes. Embryonic stem cells were induced with retinoic acid to form embryoid bodies, and then dispersed into single cells. Single cells were differentiated in N2 differentiation medium for 9 days. Immunocytochemistry showed parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells both express the neuronal cell markers nestin, βIII-tubulin and myelin basic protein. Quantitative real-time PCR found expression of neurogenesis related genes (Sox-1, Nestin, GABA, Pax6, Zic5 and Pitx1) in both types of embryonic stem cells, and Oct4 expression was significantly decreased. Nestin and Pax6 expression in parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells was significantly higher than that in fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Thus, our experimental findings indicate that parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have stronger neuronal differentiation potential than fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Xingrong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Wenxin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Huichong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Jihong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Jinlian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625001, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Shumin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Liwen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Fulin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Oct4; differentiation; embryoid body; embryonic stem cells; grants-supported paper; karyotypes; mice; neural regeneration; neuronal cells; neuroregeneration; parthenogenesis; parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells; photographs-containing paper; stem cells