Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Feeder-free Derivation of Neural Crest Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
10:33

Feeder-free Derivation of Neural Crest Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: May 22, 2014

14.7K

Induction of Mesoderm and Neural Crest-Derived Pericytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Blood-Brain

Tannaz Faal1, Duc T T Phan2, Hayk Davtyan3

  • 1Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine CA 92697, USA.

Stem Cell Reports
|February 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Researchers generated brain pericyte-like cells from patient stem cells to study Alzheimer's disease (AD). These cells could help understand blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in AD progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Pericytes are crucial for blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • BBB dysfunction is linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, but the specific role of pericytes remains unclear.
  • CNS pericytes originate from mesodermal and neural crest precursors during development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop protocols for generating brain-specific pericyte-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
  • To investigate the potential of these iPSC-derived pericytes in modeling BBB dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.
  • To compare cells derived from healthy individuals and AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from healthy and AD patients.
  • Developed two distinct protocols employing mesodermal and neural crest intermediates.
  • Generated brain-specific pericyte-like cells from iPSCs.

Main Results:

  • Successfully generated iPSC-derived pericytes exhibiting stable expression of key surface markers and brain-specific genes.
  • Demonstrated functional capacity of these cells in promoting vascular tube formation.
  • Showcased the ability of iPSC-derived pericytes to enhance endothelial barrier properties.

Conclusions:

  • Established protocols for generating functional brain pericyte-like cells from patient-derived iPSCs.
  • These iPSC-derived pericytes serve as a valuable tool for studying the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer's disease.
  • The findings offer new avenues for understanding pericyte involvement in AD-related BBB dysfunction.

Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseaseblood-brain barrierendothelial cellshuman pluripotent stem cellsmesodermneural crestpericytes

More Related Videos

In Vitro Generation of Somite Derivatives from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells06:21

In Vitro Generation of Somite Derivatives from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: April 25, 2019

9.9K
Efficient Derivation of Human Cardiac Precursors and Cardiomyocytes from Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Small Molecule Induction10:46

Efficient Derivation of Human Cardiac Precursors and Cardiomyocytes from Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Small Molecule Induction

Published on: November 3, 2011

20.8K

Related Concept Videos

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.0K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
5.6K
The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
52.8K
Embryonic Stem Cells00:58

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.4K
Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure

The neural regulation of blood pressure involves intricate interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system, ensuring adequate perfusion of tissues. This regulation primarily occurs through baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes, involving both short-term and long-term mechanisms.
Baroreceptor Reflex
Baroreceptors, located in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch, detect changes in blood pressure. When blood pressure rises, these stretch-sensitive receptors...
7.1K
Adult Stem Cells01:33

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...
33.8K