Functionally deficient neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic neural stem cells in vitro

• Published in: Neuroscience research Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 261 - 265
• Main Authors: Balasubramaniyan, V, de Haas, A.H, Bakels, R, Koper, A, Boddeke, H.W.G.M, Copray, J.C.V.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-06-2004
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Differentiation; Electric Stimulation - methods; Embryo, Mammalian; Embryonic; Epidermal Growth Factor - physiology; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - physiology; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - physiology; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Membrane Potentials - physiology; Membrane Potentials - radiation effects; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - metabolism; Mouse; Neural stem cells; Neuron; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - physiology; Patch-Clamp Techniques - methods; Progenitor cells; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - physiology; Embryonic; Neural stem cells; Neuron; Mouse; Differentiation; Progenitor cells
• ISSN: 0168-0102; 1872-8111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2004.02.010

Embryonic mouse neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated from E14 mice, multiplied in medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and plated in laminin-coated wells in basic serum-free neurobasal medium. After 7 days in vitro, approximately 20% of the embryonic mouse NSCs developed into morphologically and biochemically fully maturated neurons, with extensive dendrites and multiple synaptic contacts. However, even after 22 days of culture, none of these neurons developed voltage-dependent sodium-channels characteristic for a functional neuron. Apparently, the morphological differentiation and the electrophysiological maturation of an embryonic mouse NSC into a neuron are independently regulated.