Functional analysis of embryonic stem cell-derived glial cells after integration into hippocampal slice cultures.

Embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived neural progenitor cells (ESNPs) generated in vitro are multipotent progenitors which can differentiate into oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons. Given the exciting prospects for ES cell-based treatments of neurological disorders, several studies investigated the migration, integration, and differentiation of grafted ESNPs into neurons and glial cells. However, little is known about the functional properties of transplanted ESNPs on the single cell level.

Generation and potential biomedical applications of embryonic stem cell-derived glial precursors.

Recent progress in embryonic and adult stem cell research has opened new perspectives for generating large numbers of different neural cell types in vitro and using them for nervous system repair. Several lines of arguments suggest that myelin diseases represent particularly attractive targets for cell-based therapies. First, in contrast to neuronal cell replacement, a single and uniform cell type, the oligodendrocyte progenitor, suffices for therapeutic remyelination in all areas of the CNS, with no need for complex circuit integration.

Electrophysiological evaluation of engrafted stem cell-derived neurons.

Recent advances in the neural stem cell field have provided a wealth of methods for generating large amounts of purified neuronal precursor cells. It has become a question of paramount importance to determine whether these cells integrate and interact with established neural circuitry after engraftment. In principle, neurons have to fulfill three basic functions: receive incoming signals via synapses, compute and forward processed information to other neurons or effector cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein-mediated modulation of lineage diversification during neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) can give rise to a broad spectrum of neural cell types. The biomedical application of ES cells will require detailed knowledge on the role of individual factors modulating fate specification during in vitro differentiation. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are known to exert a multitude of diverse differentiation effects during embryonic development.

Embryonic stem cell-based reduction of central nervous system sulfatide storage in an animal model of metachromatic leukodystrophy.

Pluripotency, virtually unlimited self-renewal and amenability to genetic modification make embryonic stem (ES) cells an attractive donor source for cell-mediated gene therapy. In this proof of concept study, we explore whether glial precursors derived from murine ES cells (ESGPs) and engineered to overexpress human arylsulfatase A (hASA) can cross-correct the metabolic defect in an animal model of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Transfected ES cells showed an up to 30-fold increase in ASA activity.