A human stem cell-derived test system for agents modifying neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor Ca²⁺-signalling.

ABSTRACT: Methods to assess neuronal receptor functions are needed in toxicology and for drug development. Human-based test systems that allow studies on glutamate signalling are still scarce. To address this issue, we developed and characterized pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based neural cultures capable of forming a functional network. Starting from a stably proliferating neuroepithelial stem cell (NESC) population, we generate "mixed cortical cultures" (MCC) within 24 days. Characterization by immunocytochemistry, gene expression profiling and functional tests (multi-electrode arrays) showed that MCC contain various functional neurotransmitter receptors, and in particular, the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors (NMDA-R). As this important receptor is found neither on con

SUBMITTER: Klima S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8113295 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature