Differentiation of V2a interneurons from human pluripotent stem cells

This research focuses on creating a specific type of nerve cell, called V2a interneurons, from human stem cells. These V2a interneurons are important for controlling movement and breathing, and are often damaged in spinal cord injuries. The study found a way to grow these cells in the lab and showed that, when transplanted into mice with spinal cord injuries, the cells survived and began to integrate into the spinal cord.

• 1
  The study successfully differentiated human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into CHX10+ V2a interneurons using a specific combination of signaling molecules.
• 2
  hPSC-derived V2a cultures survived transplantation into the spinal cord of mice, coexpressed NeuN and VGlut2, extended neurites >5 mm, and formed putative synapses with host neurons.
• 3
  Single-cell RNAseq analysis confirmed CHX10+ cells within the differentiated population, which consisted primarily of neurons with some glial and neural progenitor cells.