A comparative transcriptomic analysis of astrocytes differentiation from human neural progenitor cells

• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13382
• Publication Date: 2016-08-26T13:57:06Z
• Authors: Marco Magistri; Nathalie Khoury; Emilia Maria Cris...; Dmitry Velmeshev; Jae K. Lee; Silvio Bicciato; Pantelis Tsoulfas; Mohammad Ali Faghihi
• Keywords: Neurosphere

Abstract Astrocytes are a morphologically and functionally heterogeneous population of cells that play critical roles in neurodevelopment the regulation central nervous system homeostasis. Studies human astrocytes have been hampered by lack specific molecular markers difficulties associated with purifying culturing from adult brains. Human neural progenitor (NPCs) self‐renewal multipotent properties represent an appealing model to gain insight into developmental genetics function astrocytes, but comprehensive characterization confirms validity this cellular is still missing. Here we used unbiased transcriptomic analysis characterize vitro culture NPCs define gene expression programs activated during differentiation these using FBS or combination CNTF BMP4. Our results demonstrate cultures isolated gliogenic phase mainly consist radial glial (RGCs) glia‐restricted cells. In BMP4 activates JAK/STAT SMAD signaling cascades, leading inhibition oligodendrocytes lineage commitment activation differentiation. On other hand, FBS‐derived reactive astrocytes. work suggests represents valuable study disorders characterized impairment development function. datasets important resource for researchers studying might set basis discovery novel human‐specific astrocyte markers.