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We isolated neural stem cells/neural progenitors (NSC) from 1-day-old rat pups born to mothers fed diets that were deficient or supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and compared their proliferation and differentiation in vitro. The cells isolated from the n-3PUFA-deficient pups consistently proliferated more slowly than cells that were isolated from n-3PUFA-supplemented pups,despite the fact that both were cultured under the same conditions. The differences in the proliferation rates were evaluated up until 40 days of culture and were highly significant. When the cells were allowed to differentiate,the deficient cells exhibited a higher degree of neuronal maturation in response to the addition of PUFAs in the medium,as demonstrated by an increase in neurite length,whereas the neurons derived from the supplemented pups showed no change. This result was consistent,regardless of the age of the culture. The properties of the NSC were durably modified throughout the length of the culture,although the membrane phospholipid compositions were similar. We examined the differential expression of selected mRNAs and micro RNAs. We found significant differences in the gene expression of proliferating and differentiating cells,and a group of genes involved in neurogenesis was specifically modified by n-3 PUFA treatment. We conclude that n-3 PUFA levels in the maternal diet can induce persistent modifications of the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs and of their transcriptome. Therefore,the n-3 supply received in utero may condition on a long-term basis cell renewal in the brain. View Publication

Neuron-specific in vitro screening strategies have the potential to accelerate the evaluation of chemicals for neurotoxicity. We examined neurite outgrowth as a measure of neuronal response with a commercially available rat cortex progenitor cell model,where cells were exposed to a chemical during a period of cell differentiation. In control cultures,the fraction of beta-III-tubulin positive neurons and their neurite length increased significantly with time,indicating differentiation of the progenitor cells. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein,an astrocyte marker,also increased significantly with time. By seeding progenitor cells at varying densities,we demonstrated that neurite length was influenced by cell-cell spacing. After ten days,cultures seeded at densities of 1000 cells/mm(2) or lower had significantly shorter neurites than cultures seeded at densities of 1250 cells/mm(2) or higher. Progenitor cells were exposed to lithium,a neuroactive chemical with diverse modes of action. Cultures exposed to 30 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L lithium chloride (LiCl) had significantly lower metabolic activity than control cultures,as reported by adenosine triphosphate content,and no neurons were observed after ten days of exposure. Cultures exposed to 3 mmol/L,1 mmol/L,or 0.3 mmol/L LiCl,which encompass lithium's therapeutic range,had metabolic activity similar to control cultures. These cultures exhibited concentration-dependent decreases in neurite outgrowth after ten days of LiCl exposure. Neurite outgrowth results were relatively robust,regardless of the evaluation methodology. This work demonstrates that measurement of neurite outgrowth in differentiating progenitor cell cultures can be a sensitive endpoint for neuronal response under non-cytotoxic exposure conditions. View Publication

Cytochrome b561 (Cyt-b561) proteins constitute a family of trans-membrane proteins that are present in a wide variety of organisms. Two of their characteristic properties are the reducibility by ascorbate (ASC) and the presence of two distinct b-type hemes localized on two opposite sides of the membrane. Here we show that the tonoplast-localized and the putative tumor suppressor Cyt-b561 proteins can be reduced by other reductants than ASC and dithionite. A detailed spectral analysis of the ASC-dependent and dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA)-dependent reduction of these two Cyt-b561 proteins is also presented. Our results are discussed in relation to the known antioxidant capability of DHLA as well as its role in the regeneration of other antioxidant compounds of cells. These results allow us to speculate on new biological functions for the trans-membrane Cyt-b561 proteins. View Publication

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that involves the destruction of articular cartilage and eventually leads to disability. Molecules that promote the selective differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chondrocytes may stimulate the repair of damaged cartilage. Using an image-based high-throughput screen,we identified the small molecule kartogenin,which promotes chondrocyte differentiation (median effective concentration = 100 nM),shows chondroprotective effects in vitro,and is efficacious in two OA animal models. Kartogenin binds filamin A,disrupts its interaction with the transcription factor core-binding factor β subunit (CBFβ),and induces chondrogenesis by regulating the CBFβ-RUNX1 transcriptional program. This work provides new insights into the control of chondrogenesis that may ultimately lead to a stem cell-based therapy for osteoarthritis. View Publication

Recent studies have proposed that chronic treatment with antidepressants increases neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. However,the effect of antidepressants on fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) has not been well defined. Our study shows the dose-dependent effects of fluoxetine on the proliferation and neural differentiation of NSCs. Fluoxetine,even at nanomolar concentrations,stimulated proliferation of NSCs and increased the number of βIII-tubulin (Tuj 1)- and neural nucleus marker (NeuN)-positive cells,but not glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells. These results suggest that fluoxetine can enhance neuronal differentiation. In addition,fluoxetine has protective effects against cell death induced by oligomeric amyloid beta (Aβ(42)) peptides. Taken together,these results clearly show that fluoxetine promotes both the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs and exerts protective effects against Aβ(42)-induced cytotoxicities in NSCs,which suggest that the use of fluoxetine is applicable for cell therapy for various neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases by its actions in NSCs. View Publication

α-Lipoic acid (LA) is a thiol with antioxidant properties that protects against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. LA is absorbed from the diet,taken up by cells and tissues,and subsequently reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA). In view of the recent application of DHLA as a hydrophilic nanomaterial preparation,determination of its biosafety profile is essential. In the current study,we examined the cytotoxic effects of DHLA on mouse embryos at the blastocyst stage,subsequent embryonic attachment and outgrowth in vitro,in vivo implantation by embryo transfer,and early embryonic development in an animal model. Blastocysts treated with 50 μM DHLA exhibited significantly increased apoptosis and a corresponding decrease in total cell number. Notably,the implantation success rates of blastocysts pretreated with DHLA were lower than that of their control counterparts. Moreover,in vitro treatment with 50 μM DHLA was associated with increased resorption of post-implantation embryos and decreased fetal weight. Data obtained using an in vivo mouse model further disclosed that consumption of drinking water containing 100 μM DHLA led to decreased early embryo development,specifically,inhibition of development to the blastocyst stage. However,it appears that concentrations of DHLA lower than 50 μM do not exert a hazardous effect on embryonic development. Our results collectively indicate that in vitro and in vivo exposure to concentrations of DHLA higher than 50 μM DHLA induces apoptosis and retards early pre- and post-implantation development,and support the potential of DHLA to induce embryonic cytotoxicity. View Publication

Cell death within the developing vertebrate nervous system is regulated in part by interactions between neurons and their innervation targets that are mediated by neurotrophic factors. These factors also appear to have a role in the maintenance of the adult nervous system. Two neurotrophic factors,nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor,share substantial amino acid sequence identity. We have used a screen that combines polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA and low-stringency hybridization with degenerate oligonucleotides to isolate human BDNF and a human gene,neurotrophin-3,that is closely related to both nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. mRNA products of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 genes were detected in the adult human brain,suggesting that these proteins are involved in the maintenance of the adult nervous system. Neurotrophin-3 is also expected to function in embryonic neural development. View Publication

Transcription factors and chromatin modifiers are important in the programming and reprogramming of cellular states during development. Transcription factors bind to enhancer elements and recruit coactivators and chromatin-modifying enzymes to facilitate transcription initiation. During differentiation a subset of these enhancers must be silenced,but the mechanisms underlying enhancer silencing are poorly understood. Here we show that the histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1; ref. 5),which demethylates histone H3 on Lys 4 or Lys 9 (H3K4/K9),is essential in decommissioning enhancers during the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). LSD1 occupies enhancers of active genes that are critical for control of the state of ESCs. However,LSD1 is not essential for the maintenance of ESC identity. Instead,ESCs lacking LSD1 activity fail to differentiate fully,and ESC-specific enhancers fail to undergo the histone demethylation events associated with differentiation. At active enhancers,LSD1 is a component of the NuRD (nucleosome remodelling and histone deacetylase) complex,which contains additional subunits that are necessary for ESC differentiation. We propose that the LSD1-NuRD complex decommissions enhancers of the pluripotency program during differentiation,which is essential for the complete shutdown of the ESC gene expression program and the transition to new cell states. View Publication

Micro RNAs (miRNAs),small and labile ˜22 nucleotide-sized fragments of single stranded RNA,are important regulators of messenger (mRNA) complexity and in shaping the transcriptome of a cell. In this communication,we utilized amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) peptides and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) as a combinatorial,physiologically-relevant stress to induce miRNAs in human primary neural (HNG) cells (a co-culture of neurons and astroglia). Specific miRNA up-regulation was monitored using miRNA arrays,Northern micro-dot blots and RT-PCR. Selective NF-кB translocation and DNA binding inhibitors,including the chelator and anti-oxidant pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and the polyphenolic resveratrol analog CAY10512 (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene),indicated the NF-кB sensitivity of several brain miRNAs,including miRNA-9,miRNA-125b and miRNA-146a. The inducible miRNA-125b and miRNA-146a,and their verified mRNA targets,including 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX),synapsin-2 (SYN-2),complement factor H (CFH) and tetraspanin-12 (TSPAN12),suggests complex and highly interactive roles for NF-кB,miRNA-125b and miRNA-146a. These data further indicate that just two NF-кB-mediated miRNAs have tremendous potential to contribute to the regulation of neurotrophic support,synaptogenesis,neuroinflammation,innate immune signaling and amyloidogenesis in stressed primary neural cells of the human brain. View Publication

Partial cDNA and genomic clones of rat stem cell factor (SCF) have been isolated. Using probes based on the rat sequence,partial and full-length cDNA and genomic clones of human SCF have been isolated. Based on the primary structure of the 164 amino acid protein purified from BRL-3A cells,truncated forms of the rat and human proteins have been expressed in E. coli and mammalian cells and have been shown to possess biological activity. SCF is able to augment the proliferation of both myeloid and lymphoid hematopoietic progenitors in bone marrow cultures. SCF exhibits potent synergistic activities in conjunction with colony-stimulating factors,resulting in increased colony numbers and colony size. View Publication

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a promising source of cells for applications in regenerative medicine. Directed differentiation of PSCs into specialized cells such as spinal motoneurons or midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons has been achieved. However,the effective use of PSCs for cell therapy has lagged behind. Whereas mouse PSC-derived DA neurons have shown efficacy in models of Parkinson's disease,DA neurons from human PSCs generally show poor in vivo performance. There are also considerable safety concerns for PSCs related to their potential for teratoma formation or neural overgrowth. Here we present a novel floor-plate-based strategy for the derivation of human DA neurons that efficiently engraft in vivo,suggesting that past failures were due to incomplete specification rather than a specific vulnerability of the cells. Midbrain floor-plate precursors are derived from PSCs 11 days after exposure to small molecule activators of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and canonical WNT signalling. Engraftable midbrain DA neurons are obtained by day 25 and can be maintained in vitro for several months. Extensive molecular profiling,biochemical and electrophysiological data define developmental progression and confirm identity of PSC-derived midbrain DA neurons. In vivo survival and function is demonstrated in Parkinson's disease models using three host species. Long-term engraftment in 6-hydroxy-dopamine-lesioned mice and rats demonstrates robust survival of midbrain DA neurons derived from human embryonic stem (ES) cells,complete restoration of amphetamine-induced rotation behaviour and improvements in tests of forelimb use and akinesia. Finally,scalability is demonstrated by transplantation into parkinsonian monkeys. Excellent DA neuron survival,function and lack of neural overgrowth in the three animal models indicate promise for the development of cell-based therapies in Parkinson's disease. View Publication

BACKGROUND AIMS: Human embryonic stem (hES) cells hold great potential for cell therapy and regenerative medicine because of their pluripotency and capacity for self-renewal. The conditions used to derive and culture hES cells vary between and within laboratories depending on the desired use of the cells. Until recently,stem cell culture has been carried out using feeder cells,and culture media,that contain animal products. Recent advances in technology have opened up the possibility of both xeno-free and feeder-free culture of stem cells,essential conditions for the use of stem cells for clinical purposes. To date,however,there has been limited success in achieving this aim. METHODS,RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Protocols were developed for the successful derivation of two normal and three specific mutation-carrying (SMC) (Huntington's disease and myotonic dystrophy 1) genomically stable hES cell lines,and their adaptation to feeder-free culture,all under xeno-free conditions. View Publication