Project description:A single spermatogonial stem cell can aquire pluripotentiality but that conversion into a pluripotent cell type is accompanied by loss of spermatogenic potential. We used microarrays to compare the expression profiles among the different stem cell types. Experiment Overall Design: GS, mGS and ES cells were cultured for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. We examined the gene expression profiles of GS and mGS cells to find candidate molecules that are involved in the conversion process of GS into mGS cells.
Project description:We and other groups doumented that astrocytes modulate migration, maturation and myelin sythesis of oligodendrocytes through release of neurotransmitters, cytokins and other signaling molecules. However, much less is known about on how the oligodendrocytes affects the astrocytes. We compared the transcriptome of cortical astrocytes when cultured alone and co-cultured with non-touching immortalized precursor oligodendrocytes (Oli-neu) in insert systems. Experimental data indicate that the oligodendrocyte-conditioning medium has a substantial effect on the the gene expression in astrocytes. Moreover, oligodendendrocyte proximity remodels major astrocyte functional pathways.
Project description:Senescence was recently linked to neurodegeneration. Senescent as well as reactive astrocytes were detected in Parkinson’s disease postmortem brains. This study aimed to determine differences and similarities between senescent and reactive astrocytes. Astrocytes were treated with the stressors hydrogen peroxide or rotenone to induce senescence or with the cytokines TNFa+IL1a or with IL1b to induce reactivity in astrocytes. Comparing the transcriptome of senescent and reactive astrocytes revealed a set of genes specific to senescent astrocytes together with genes regulated in a similar way in both astrocyte states.