Short-Term Withdrawal of Mitogens Increases Neuronal Differentiation of Human Neural Precursor Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Telma Tiemi Schwindt, Fabiana Louise Motta, Barnabé Gabriela Filoso, Cristina Massant Gonçalves, Alessander de Oliveira Guimarães, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto, Fabio Silva Conceição, João Bosco Pesquero, Stevens Rehen, Luiz E. Mello
Primary Institution: Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
Hypothesis
Does the short-term removal of FGF-2 and EGF prior to plating improve human neural precursor cell differentiation into neurons?
Conclusion
Removing EGF and FGF-2 before plating enhances neuronal differentiation and neurite extension in human neural precursor cells.
Supporting Evidence
- Neurospheres cultured without EGF and FGF-2 showed significantly increased neuronal differentiation.
- Neurons in the absence of growth factors had longer processes compared to controls.
- Gene expression analysis indicated changes in markers related to cell survival and differentiation.
Takeaway
If you take away certain growth factors from brain cells before putting them in a dish, they can grow into neurons better and have longer branches.
Methodology
Human neural precursor cells were cultured in the presence or absence of EGF and FGF-2 for 14 days, followed by analysis of differentiation and gene expression.
Limitations
The study did not evaluate the in vivo effects of growth factor withdrawal on cell transplantation outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Human fetal brain cortices from two individuals, aged 80 and 87 days post-conception.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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