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Glial Differentiation Of Human Umbilical Stem Cells In 2d And 3d Environments

During differentiation stem cells are exposed to a range of microenvironmental chemical and physical cues. In this study, human multipotent progenitor cells (hMLPCs) were differentiated from umbilical cord into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Chemical cues were represented by a novel defined differentiation medium containing the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE). In traditional 2 dimensional (2D) conditions, the hMLPCs differentiated into oligodendrocyte precursors, but did not progress further. However, in a constructed 3 dimensional (3D) environment, the hMLPCs differentiated into committed oligodendrocytes that expressed MBP. When co-cultured with rat embryonic hippocampal neurons (EHNs), hMLPCs developed in astrocytes or oligodendrocytes, based on presence of growth factors in the differentiation medium. In co-culture, physical cues provided by axons were essential for complete differentiation of both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This study presents a novel method of obtaining glia from human MLPCs that could eliminate many of the difficulties associated with their differentiation from embryonic stem cells. In addition, it reveals the complex interplay between physical cues and biomolecules on stem cell differentiation.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd-3027
Date01 January 2011
CreatorsDavis, Hedvika
PublisherSTARS
Source SetsUniversity of Central Florida
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceElectronic Theses and Dissertations

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