title: Psora-4, a Kv1.3 Blocker, Enhances Differentiation and Maturation in Neural Progenitor Cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The self-repair ability of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) has been found to be activated and protected in several therapies helpful in multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. As a potential therapeutic target in MS, the role of the ion channel Kv1.3 in NPC self-repair has received limited attention. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a selective Kv1.3 blocker on NPC neuronal differentiation and maturation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A small-molecule selective blocker for Kv1.3, Psora-4, was added to the differentiation medium of cultured mouse NPCs to assess its effect on NPC differentiation efficiency. Both a polypeptide Kv1.3 blocker and Kv1.3-specific RNA interference were used in parallel experiments. Further, the maturity of newborn neurons in the presence of Psora-4 was measured both by morphological analysis and by whole-cell patch clamping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Psora-4 induced a significant increase in the percentage of neurons. Knockdown of Kv1.3 in NPCs also promoted neuronal differentiation. Both morphological and electrophysiological analyses suggested that NPC-derived neurons in the presence of Psora-4 were more mature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our studies reveal a crucial role for the ion channel Kv1.3 in the regulation of NPC differentiation and maturation, making Psora-4 a promising candidate molecule for MS treatment.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Ye
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Guo-Qiang
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Song-Wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Juan
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.|Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005363:Ficusin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C499898:5-(4-phenylbutoxy)psoralen; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D005363:Ficusin
keywords: Differentiation; Kv1.3; Maturation; Neural progenitor cell; Small molecule