Efficient differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into functional cerebellar-like cells

Stem Cells Dev. 2010 Nov;19(11):1745-56. doi: 10.1089/scd.2009.0498. Epub 2010 Oct 7.

Abstract

The cerebellum has critical roles in motor and sensory learning and motor coordination. Many cerebellum-related disorders indicate cell therapy as a possible treatment of neural loss. Here we show that application of inductive signals involved in early patterning of the cerebellar region followed by application of different factors directs human embryonic stem cell differentiation into cerebellar-like cells such as granule neurons, Purkinje cells, interneuron, and glial cells. Neurons derived using our protocol showed a T-shaped polarity phenotype and express similar markers to the developed human cerebellum. Electrophysiological measurements confirmed functional electrical properties compatible with these cells. In vivo implantation of differentiated human embryonic stem cells transfected with MATH1-GFP construct into neonatal mice resulted in cell migration across the molecular and the Purkinje cell layers and settlement in the internal molecular layers. Our findings demonstrate that the universal mechanisms involved in the development of cerebellum can be efficiently recapitulated in vitro, which enables the design of new strategies for cell replacement therapy, to study early human development and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebellum / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fetus / anatomy & histology
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Pregnancy
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ATOH1 protein, human
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Biomarkers
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins