Enriched population of PNS neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells as a platform for studying peripheral neuropathies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The absence of a suitable cellular model is a major obstacle for the study of peripheral neuropathies. Human embryonic stem cells hold the potential to be differentiated into peripheral neurons which makes them a suitable candidate for this purpose. However, so far the potential of hESC to differentiate into derivatives of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) was not investigated enough and in particular, the few trials conducted resulted in low yields of PNS neurons. Here we describe a novel hESC differentiation method to produce enriched populations of PNS mature neurons. By plating 8 weeks hESC derived neural progenitors (hESC-NPs) on laminin for two weeks in a defined medium, we demonstrate that over 70% of the resulting neurons express PNS markers and 30% of these ce

SUBMITTER: Valensi-Kurtz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2823780 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature