Biomaterial Database

[Isolation and identification of neural precursor cells from human embryonic cortical tissue]. 2001

P Liang, and Q Li, and E Liu

Department of Neurosurgery, First Clincal College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.

OBJECTIVE To isolate neural precursor cells from human embryonic cortical tissue of 20 weeks and identify their proliferation capacity as well as differentiating potential. METHODS Human fetuses of about 20 weeks from spontaneous abortion were adopted. A serum-free medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) was used to make the neural precursor cell divide continuously in the culture. The proliferating ability of these cells was tested with BrdU. Growth factors were removed so as to induce differentiation of the precursor cells. The cell cycle of the cells in the neurosphere was analysed using flow cytometry. RESULTS Cells from human embryonic cortical tissue could be maintained and propagated in the presence of growth factors. Neurospheres generated continually and the cells in the sphere could incorporate into BrdU. Upon differentiation, the precursor cells gave rise to mature neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. They retained their multilineage potential over repeated passages. The cell cycle analysis indicated that the cells proliferated actively. CONCLUSIONS Cells that able to self-renew and differentiate into mature cells in culture cam be isolated from human embryonic tissues. They are verified to be neural precursor cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002454	Cell Differentiation	Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.	Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D053595	Embryonic Stem Cells	Cells derived from the BLASTOCYST INNER CELL MASS which forms before implantation in the uterine wall. They retain the ability to divide, proliferate and provide progenitor cells that can differentiate into specialized cells.	Stem Cells, Embryonic,Cell, Embryonic Stem,Cells, Embryonic Stem,Embryonic Stem Cell,Stem Cell, Embryonic
D018929	Cell Culture Techniques	Methods for maintaining or growing CELLS in vitro.	Cell Culture,Cell Culture Technique,Cell Cultures,Culture Technique, Cell,Culture Techniques, Cell