Development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-secreting neurons from human pluripotent stem cells
C Lund, K Pulli, V Yellapragada, P Giacobini, K Lundin… - Stem cell reports, 2016 - cell.com
Stem cell reports, 2016•cell.com
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons regulate human puberty and
reproduction. Modeling their development and function in vitro would be of interest for both
basic research and clinical translation. Here, we report a three-step protocol to differentiate
human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into GnRH-secreting neurons. Firstly, hPSCs were
differentiated to FOXG1, EMX2, and PAX6 expressing anterior neural progenitor cells
(NPCs) by dual SMAD inhibition. Secondly, NPCs were treated for 10 days with FGF8, which …
reproduction. Modeling their development and function in vitro would be of interest for both
basic research and clinical translation. Here, we report a three-step protocol to differentiate
human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into GnRH-secreting neurons. Firstly, hPSCs were
differentiated to FOXG1, EMX2, and PAX6 expressing anterior neural progenitor cells
(NPCs) by dual SMAD inhibition. Secondly, NPCs were treated for 10 days with FGF8, which …
Summary
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons regulate human puberty and reproduction. Modeling their development and function in vitro would be of interest for both basic research and clinical translation. Here, we report a three-step protocol to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into GnRH-secreting neurons. Firstly, hPSCs were differentiated to FOXG1, EMX2, and PAX6 expressing anterior neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by dual SMAD inhibition. Secondly, NPCs were treated for 10 days with FGF8, which is a key ligand implicated in GnRH neuron ontogeny, and finally, the cells were matured with Notch inhibitor to bipolar TUJ1-positive neurons that robustly expressed GNRH1 and secreted GnRH decapeptide into the culture medium. The protocol was reproducible both in human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, and thus provides a translational tool for investigating the mechanisms of human puberty and its disorders.
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