Open AccessFluorescence‐Activated Cell Sorting–Based Purification of Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Neural Precursors Averts Tumor Formation after Transplantation
Author(s) -
Fukuda Hitoshi,
Takahashi Jun,
Watanabe Kiichi,
Hayashi Hideki,
Morizane Asuka,
Koyanagi Masaomi,
Sasai Yoshiki,
Hashimoto Nobuo
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1634/stemcells.2005-0137
Subject(s) - cell sorting , transplantation , biology , embryonic stem cell , neural stem cell , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , pathology , immunology , flow cytometry , medicine , genetics , gene
The differentiation of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be efficiently induced, making these neurons a potential source for transplantation as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, a condition characterized by the gradual loss of midbrain DA neurons. One of the major persistent obstacles to the successful implementation of therapeutic ESC transplantation is the propensity of ESC‐derived grafts to form tumors in vivo. To address this problem, we used fluorescence‐activated cell sorting to purify mouse ESC‐derived neural precursors expressing the neural precursor marker Sox1. ESC‐derived, Sox1 + cells began to express neuronal cell markers and differentiated into DA neurons upon transplantation into mouse brains but did not generate tumors in this site. In contrast, Sox1 − cells that expressed ESC markers frequently formed tumors in vivo. These results indicate that Sox1‐based cell sorting of neural precursors prevents graft‐derived tumor formation after transplantation, providing a promising strategy for cell transplantation therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.