Microcircuit formation following transplantation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neurons in peripheral nerve.

ABSTRACT: Motoneurons derived from embryonic stem cells can be transplanted in the tibial nerve, where they extend axons to functionally innervate target muscle. Here, we studied spontaneous muscle contractions in these grafts 3 mo following transplantation. One-half of the transplanted grafts generated rhythmic muscle contractions of variable patterns, either spontaneously or in response to brief electrical stimulation. Activity generated by transplanted embryonic stem cell-derived neurons was driven by glutamate and was modulated by muscarinic and GABAergic/glycinergic transmission. Furthermore, rhythmicity was promoted by the same transmitter combination that evokes rhythmic locomotor activity in spinal cord circuits. These results demonstrate that there is a degree of self-assembly of microcircu

SUBMITTER: Magown P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5380775 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature