Immature neuronal phenotype derived from mouse skin precursor cells differentiated in vitro

Ginetta Collo; Francesca Goffi; Emilio Merlo Pich; Pietro Baldelli; Fabio Benfenati; PierFranco Spano

doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2006.06.064

Immature neuronal phenotype derived from mouse skin precursor cells differentiated in vitro

Brain Res. 2006 Sep 13;1109(1):32-6. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.06.064. Epub 2006 Jul 21.

Authors

Ginetta Collo¹, Francesca Goffi, Emilio Merlo Pich, Pietro Baldelli, Fabio Benfenati, PierFranco Spano

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Division of Pharmacology, Brescia University Medical School, Viale Europa 11, 25100 Brescia, Italy. [email protected]

PMID: 16859654
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.06.064

Abstract

Recent findings indicate that skin-derived precursor cells (SKPs) of mouse dermis can differentiate in cells with neuronal-like morphology. However, direct evidence supporting the establishment of functional phenotype is missing. In the present study, SKP cells were obtained using published in vitro techniques and studied at 14- to 21-day differentiation, when neuronal-like morphology was observed. The experiment was repeated 39 times. Co-cultures with cortical astrocytes were also used to enhance the process of neural differentiation. Expression of GAP43 and light-chain MAP-2(c) but not markers of dendritic and synaptic terminal differentiation such as heavy-chain MAP-2(ab) and synapsin were observed. Voltage-clamp electrophysiology recordings showed potassium currents, but neither action potentials generation nor electrotonic response to exogenous administration of nicotine or kainic acid. These observations suggest that mouse SKPs do not differentiate into mature functional neurons, at least using the published methodologies for in vitro differentiation.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

4-Aminopyridine / pharmacology
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Cell Differentiation / physiology*
Cells, Cultured
Cerebral Cortex / cytology
Coculture Techniques / methods
Electric Stimulation / methods
GAP-43 Protein / metabolism
Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism
Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
Isoenzymes / metabolism
Membrane Potentials / drug effects
Membrane Potentials / physiology
Membrane Potentials / radiation effects
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Transgenic
Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
Neuroglia / physiology
Neurons / physiology*
Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
Phenotype
Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / pharmacology
Skin / cytology*
Stem Cells / physiology*
Time Factors

Substances

GAP-43 Protein
Isoenzymes
Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Mtap2 protein, mouse
Potassium Channel Blockers
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Green Fluorescent Proteins
4-Aminopyridine
Glutamate Decarboxylase
glutamate decarboxylase 1
tetramethylammonium