Premium
Ascorbate‐induced differentiation of embryonic cortical precursors into neurons and astrocytes
Author(s) -
Lee JiYeon,
Chang MiYoon,
Park ChangHwan,
Kim HyeYoung,
Kim JinHyuk,
Son Hyeon,
Lee YongSung,
Lee SangHun
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.10647
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , biology , neuroscience , cellular differentiation , excitatory postsynaptic potential , cerebral cortex , microbiology and biotechnology , postsynaptic potential , neurogenesis , cortex (anatomy) , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , gene , biochemistry , receptor
A specific role for ascorbate (AA) in brain development has been postulated based on a rise of AA levels in fetal brain (Kratzing et al., 1985). To evaluate the role of AA during CNS development, we analyzed the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of AA‐treated CNS precursor cells isolated from rat embryonic cortex. Immunocytochemical analyses revealed that AA promoted the in vitro differentiation of CNS precursor cells into neurons and astrocytes in a cell density‐dependent manner. Additionally, AA increased the frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) of postmitotic neurons in primary neuronal cultures. Differential expression analysis of genes specific to neuronal or glial differentiation revealed an AA‐dependent increase in the expression of genes that could potentially compound the effects of AA on cell differentiation. These data suggest that AA may act in the developing brain to stimulate the generation of CNS neurons and glia, thereby assisting in the formation of neural circuits by promoting the acquisition of neuronal synaptic functions. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.