Open AccessEfficient Induction of Oligodendrocytes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Author(s) -
Kang SangMoon,
Cho Myung Soo,
Seo Hyemyung,
Yoon Chul Jong,
Oh Sun Kyung,
Choi Young Min,
Kim DongWook
Publication year - 2007
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.2005-0482
Subject(s) - biology , embryonic stem cell , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , neural stem cell , genetics , gene
Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons to support rapid nerve conduction in the central nervous system (CNS). Damage to myelin can cause severe CNS disorders. In this study, we attempted to devise a protocol for the induction of oligodendrocytes from human embryonic stem (ES) cells to treat demyelinated axons. Four days after embryoid body formation, human ES cells were differentiated into neural precursors through selection and expansion procedures. Neural precursors were then grown in the presence of epidermal growth factor and then platelet‐derived growth factor to generate oligodendrocyte precursor cells. After withdrawal of the growth factors, the cells were treated with thyroid hormone to induce differentiation into oligodendrocytes. This method resulted in ∼81%–91% oligodendrocyte precursor cells and ∼81% oligodendrocytes among total cells. The ability of the oligodendrocyte precursors to myelinate axons has been verified by coculturing with rat hippocampal neurons, confirming their biological functionality.