人胚胎干细胞源多巴胺能神经元的功能性分化

摘要

BACKGROUND: The in vitro differentiation methods of stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons that serve as a cell source for the replacement therapy of Parkinson's disease are continuously optimized and improved, as well as the subsequent identification methods and testing indicators. OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphological development and electrophysiological characteristics of dopaminergic neurons differentiated from human embryonic stem cells so as to identify whether these differentiated cells have mature morphology and function under the current differentiation program. METHODS: Monolayer adherent method combined with dual-SMAD signaling inhibition was used to induce the directional differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into dopaminergic neurons. Then the cells were identified by light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence, and the electrophysiological properties of dopaminergic neurons were detected by patch clamp electrophysiological technique. Herein, we evaluated the electrophysiological functions of dopaminergic neurons differentiated in vitro, with reference to the evaluation standard of dopaminergic neuron in vivo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In this study, we successfully obtained dopaminergic neurons with mature morphology and functions differentiated from human embryonic stem cells in vitro. Findings from the subsequent electrophysiological test confirmed that dopaminergic neurons we acquired had electrophysiological properties in accordance with the evaluation standards of dopaminergic neurons in vivo. To conclude, the monolayer adherent method combined with dual-SMAD signaling inhibition can successfully induce the directional differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into dopaminergic neurons with mature morphology and functions.%背景:干细胞源多巴胺能神经元作为帕金森病替代疗法的细胞来源,其体外分化方案被不断的优化和改良,后续的鉴定手段和检测指标也随之不断完善.目的:通过观察人胚胎干细胞分化为多巴胺能神经元的形态发育过程,检测其电生理特性,以了解在目前分化方案下人胚胎干细胞能否发育为形态成熟、功能成熟的多巴胺能神经元.方法:通过单层贴壁法,采用SMAD通道双抑制剂分化方案,定向诱导人胚胎干细胞分化为多巴胺能神经元,通过光镜、电镜和细胞免疫荧光等检测手段进行形态学和免疫化学鉴定,并应用膜片钳技术检测多巴胺能神经元的电生理特性.参照体内多巴胺能神经元的电生理标准,对体外分化的多巴胺能神经元进行功能评价.结果与结论:①采用SMAD通道双抑制剂分化方案,成功诱导人胚胎干细胞定向分化为形态学上发育成熟的多巴胺能神经元;②膜片钳检测结果显示多巴胺能神经元具有成熟的电生理功能,且其电生理特性符合体内多巴胺能神经元的评价标准;③上述分化方案可以将人胚胎干细胞定向分化为成熟的、有功能的多巴胺能神经元.