Project description:We developed simple, robust, efficient, and serum-free/feeder-free induction protocol for neural crest cells from human pluripotent stem cells. To characterize the hNCCs and hNCC-derived MSCs, we performed gene expression profiling experiments. Comparison of gene expressions among hiPSCs, hESCs, hNCCs and hNC-MSCs
Project description:We developed simple, robust, efficient, and serum-free/feeder-free induction protocol for neural crest cells from human pluripotent stem cells. To characterize the hNCCs and hNCC-derived MSCs, we performed gene expression profiling experiments.
Project description:We have generated expression profiles of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived neural crest populations from Familial Dysautonomia patients. These profiles were compared to a normal iPSC line that does not harbor the IKBKAP mutation. All cell types were differentiated from patient derived iPSCs. Bulk iPSCs were harvested for RNA and the neural crest populations were sorted on day 18 for p75/HNK1 before RNA isolation.
Project description:Neural crest-derived neural stem cells (NCSCs) from the embryonic PNS can be reprogrammed in neurosphere culture (NS) to rNCSCs that produce CNS progeny, including myelinating oligodendrocytes. Using global gene expression analysis we now demonstrate that rNCSCs completely lose their previous PNS characteristics and acquire the identity of neural stem cells derived from embryonic spinal cord (SCSCs). Reprogramming proceeds rapidly and results in a homogenous population of Olig2-, Sox3- and Lex-positive CNS stem cells. Low-level expression of pluripotency inducing genes Oct4, Nanog and Klf4 argues against a transient pluripotent state during reprogramming. The acquisition of CNS properties is prevented in the presence of BMP4 (BMP NCSCs) as shown by marker gene expression and the potential to produce PNS neurons and glia. In addition, genes characteristic for mesenchymal and perivascular progenitors are expressed, which suggests that BMP NCSCs are directed towards a pericyte progenitor/mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. Adult NCSCs from mouse palate, an easily accessible source of adult NCSCs, display strikingly similar properties. They do not generate cells with CNS characteristics but lose the neural crest markers Sox10 and p75 and produce MSCs. These findings show that embryonic NCSCs acquire a full CNS identity in neurosphere culture. In contrast, MSCs are generated from adult pNCSCs and BMP NCSCs, which reveals that postmigratory NCSCs are a source for MSCs up to the adult stage. Affymetrix Mouse 430_2 arrays were used to compare the gene expression profiles of embryonic DRG-derived reprogrammed NCSCs and adult NCSCs from mouse palate.
Project description:Neural crest-derived neural stem cells (NCSCs) from the embryonic PNS can be reprogrammed in neurosphere culture (NS) to rNCSCs that produce CNS progeny, including myelinating oligodendrocytes. Using global gene expression analysis we now demonstrate that rNCSCs completely lose their previous PNS characteristics and acquire the identity of neural stem cells derived from embryonic spinal cord (SCSCs). Reprogramming proceeds rapidly and results in a homogenous population of Olig2-, Sox3- and Lex-positive CNS stem cells. Low-level expression of pluripotency inducing genes Oct4, Nanog and Klf4 argues against a transient pluripotent state during reprogramming. The acquisition of CNS properties is prevented in the presence of BMP4 (BMP NCSCs) as shown by marker gene expression and the potential to produce PNS neurons and glia. In addition, genes characteristic for mesenchymal and perivascular progenitors are expressed, which suggests that BMP NCSCs are directed towards a pericyte progenitor/mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. Adult NCSCs from mouse palate, an easily accessible source of adult NCSCs, display strikingly similar properties. They do not generate cells with CNS characteristics but lose the neural crest markers Sox10 and p75 and produce MSCs. These findings show that embryonic NCSCs acquire a full CNS identity in neurosphere culture. In contrast, MSCs are generated from adult pNCSCs and BMP NCSCs, which reveals that postmigratory NCSCs are a source for MSCs up to the adult stage. Affymetrix Mouse 430_2 arrays were used to compare the gene expression profiles of E12.5 mouse spinal cord-derived neurospheres (SCSCs) and E12.5 DRG-derived neurospheres, cultured in the absence (rNCSCs) or in the presence of BMP4 (BMP NCSCs).
Project description:We describe a so far uncharacterized, embryonic and self-renewing Neural Plate Border Stem Cell (NBSC) population with the capacity to differentiate into central nervous and neural crest lineages. NBSCs can be obtained by neural transcription factor-mediated reprogramming (BRN2, SOX2, KLF4, and ZIC3) of human adult dermal fibroblasts and peripheral blood cells (induced Neural Plate Border Stem Cells, iNBSCs) or by directed differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, human (i)NBSCs share molecular and functional features with an endogenous NBSC population isolated from neural folds of E8.5 mouse embryos. Upon differentiation, iNBSCs give rise to either (1) radial glia-type stem cells, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, motoneurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes or (2) cells from the neural crest lineage. Here we provide array-based expression data of primary mouse Neural Plate Border Stem Cells (pNBSCs) derived from E8.5 mouse embryos and radial glia-type stem cells and neural crest progenitors derived thereof. The data provided reveal that pNBSCs can be directed into defined neural cell types of the CNS- and neural crest lineage.
Project description:<p>Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is a developmental and degenerative genetic disease that manifests in the neural crest cells and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Despite all FD patients having the same mutation in <i>IKBKAP</i>, patients present with varying disease severity, ranging from mild to severe. We used the human pluripotent stem cell technology to recapitulate this varying disease severity in the dish. Further, we found that severe, but not mild patients harbor mutations in candidate modifier genes that may contribute to severe disease presentation.</p>
Project description:We have generated expression profiles of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived neural crest populations from Familial Dysautonomia patients. These profiles were compared to a normal iPSC line that does not harbor the IKBKAP mutation.
Project description:Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells of neural crest origin responsible for protecting the skin against UV-irradiation. Melanocyte dysfunction leads to pigmentation defects including albinism, vitiligo, and piebaldism and is a key feature of systemic pathologies such as Hermansky-Pudlak (HP) and Chediak-Higashi (CH) Syndromes. Pluripotent stem cell technology offers a novel approach for studying human melanocyte development and disease. Here we report that timed exposure to activators of WNT, BMP and EDN3 signaling triggers the sequential induction of neural crest and melanocyte precursor fates under dual-SMAD inhibition conditions. Using a SOX10::GFP hESC reporter line, we demonstrate that the temporal onset of WNT activation is particularly critical for human neural crest induction. Surprisingly, suppression of BMP signaling does reduce neural crest yield. Subsequent differentiation of hESC-derived melanocyte precursors under defined conditions yields pure populations of pigmented cells matching the molecular and functional properties of adult melanocytes. Melanocytes from patient-specific iPSCs faithfully reproduce the ultrastructural features of the HP- and CH-specific pigmentation defects with minimal variability across lines. Our data define a highly specific requirement for WNT signaling during neural crest induction and enable the generation of pure populations of hiPSC-derived melanocytes for faithful modeling of human pigmentation disorders. Total RNA obtained from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), ESC-derived melanocyte progenitors, ESC-derived mature melanocytes, primary melanocytes, and disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived melanocytes.