Abstract
New small molecules that regulate the step-wise differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into dopaminergic neurons have been identified. The steroid, guggulsterone, was found to be the most effective inducer of neural stem cells into dopaminergic neurons. These neurons are extensively characterized and shown to be functional. We believe this new approach offers a practical route to creating neurons of sufficient quality to be used to treat Parkinson's disease patients.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Cell Culture Techniques
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Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
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Cell Line
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Cell Transplantation / methods
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Dopamine / metabolism
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Dopaminergic Neurons / cytology*
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Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
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Dopaminergic Neurons / physiology
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Humans
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Membrane Potentials / drug effects
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Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
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Neural Stem Cells / metabolism
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Neural Stem Cells / physiology
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Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
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Parkinson Disease / surgery
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
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Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
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Pluripotent Stem Cells / physiology
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Pregnenediones / pharmacology*
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Substances
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Pregnenediones
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pregna-4,17-diene-3,16-dione
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Dopamine