An in vitro model of human dopaminergic neurons derived from embryonic stem cells: MPP+ toxicity and GDNF neuroprotection Article

Zeng, X, Chen, J, Deng, X et al. (2006). An in vitro model of human dopaminergic neurons derived from embryonic stem cells: MPP+ toxicity and GDNF neuroprotection . NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, 31(12), 2708-2715. 10.1038/sj.npp.1301125

cited authors

  • Zeng, X; Chen, J; Deng, X; Liu, Y; Rao, MS; Cadet, JL; Freed, WJ

authors

abstract

  • Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can proliferate indefinitely yet also differentiate in vitro, allowing normal human neurons to be generated in unlimited numbers. Here, we describe the development of an in vitro neurotoxicity assay using human dopaminergic neurons derived from hESCs. We showed that the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP +), which produces features of Parkinson's disease in humans, was toxic for hESC-derived dopaminergic neurons. Treatment with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protected tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons against MPP+-induced apoptotic cell death and loss of neuronal processes as well as against the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The availability of human dopaminergic neurons, derived from hESCs, therefore allows for the possibility of directly examining the unique features of human dopaminergic neurons with respect to their responses to pharmacological agents as well as environmental and chemical toxins. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.

publication date

  • December 4, 2006

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 2708

end page

  • 2715

volume

  • 31

issue

  • 12