Combinatorial ECM Arrays Identify Cooperative Roles for Matricellular Proteins in Enhancing the Generation of TH+ Neurons From Human Pluripotent Cells
Summary
The development of efficient cell culture strategies for the generation of dopaminergic neurons is an important goal for transplantation-based approaches to treat Parkinson's disease. To identify extracellular matrix molecules that enhance differentiation and might be used in these cell cultures we have used micro-contact printed arrays on glass slides presenting 190 combinations of 19 extracellular matrix molecules selected on the basis of their expression during embryonic development of the ventral midbrain. Using long-term neuroepithelial stem cells (Lt-NES), this approach identified a number of matricellular proteins that enhanced differentiation, with the combination of Sparc, Sparc-like (Sparc-l1) and Nell2 increasing the number of tyrosine hydroxylase+ neurons derived from Lt-NES cells and, critically for further translation, human pluripotent stem cells. Copyright © 2021 Ahmed, Owens, Toledo, Arenas, Bradley and ffrench-Constant.
| Authors | Ahmed M, Owens MJS, Toledo EM, Arenas E, Bradley M, Ffrench-Constant C |
|---|---|
| Journal | Frontiers in cell and developmental biology |
| Publication Date | 2021;9:755406 |
| PubMed | 34926447 |
| PubMed Central | PMC8672163 |
| DOI | 10.3389/fcell.2021.755406 |