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Updated: Apr 4, 2026
Differentiation and Characterization of Neural Progenitors and Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: May 15, 2020
[Inducing effects of different microenvironments on the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into
Xudong Chen1, Wenjuan Fan1, Keli Yuan1
1Luohe Medical College, Luohe 462002, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of different microenvironments on the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into neuron-like cells.
Methods:
Mouse iPSCs were cultured in suspension and became embryoid bodies (EBs), and then the EBs were randomly divided into all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) group, brain slice co-culture group, and brain tissue homogenate supernatant group. The above three groups were induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells. Morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope. Immunofluorescence staining technology was used for cell identification. The expressions of nestin, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by Western blotting.
Results:
The three different culture conditions could all induce mouse iPSCs to differentiate into neuron-like cells. These neuron-like cells could be marked by neuron markers like nestin and MAP2. The levels of nestin, MAP2 and GFAP proteins in the ATRA group were significantly higher than those in both the brain slice co-culture group and the brain tissue homogenate supernatant group, but there was no significant difference between the brain slice co-culture group and the brain tissue homogenate supernatant group.
Conclusion:
Both brain slice microenvironment and brain tissue homogenate supernatant can induce the differentiation of mouse iPSCs into neuron-like cells, but the effect is inferior to ATRA.
