Int J Stem Cells.  2012 Nov;5(2):140-145.

Neuronal Differentiation of a Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Line (FS-1) Derived from Newborn Foreskin Fibroblasts

• Kwon J
• Lee N
• Jeon I
• Lee HJ
• Do JT
• Lee DR
• Oh SH
• Shin DA
• Kim A
• Song J

Abstract

Isolation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fully differentiated somatic cells has revolutionized existing concepts of cell differentiation and stem cells. Importantly, iPSCs generated from somatic cells of patients can be used to model different types of human diseases. They may also serve as autologous cell sources that can be used in transplantation therapy. In this study, we investigated the neuronal properties of an iPSC line that is derived from human neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (FS-1). We initially examined the morphology and marker expression of FS-1 cells at undifferentiated stage. We then spontaneously differentiated FS-1 cells in suspension culture and examined the expression of markers representing three germ layers. We finally differentiated FS-1 cells into neuronal lineages by co-culturing them with PA6 stromal cells, and found that, under the conditions we used, they have a tendency to differentiate into more forebrain-type neurons, suggesting that FS-1 iPSC-derived neural cells will be useful to be used in cell therapy of stroke or Huntington's disease, among others. Taken together, FS-1 cells derived from human neonatal fibroblasts exhibit very similar properties with human ES cells, and can provide useful sources for cell therapy and various other applications.

Keyword

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); Foreskin; Spontaneous differentiation; Neuronal differentiation; Cell therapy; Human ES cells

MeSH Terms

Cell Differentiation
Fibroblasts
Foreskin
Germ Layers
Humans
Huntington Disease
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Infant, Newborn
Neurons
Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem Cells
Stroke
Stromal Cells
Tissue Therapy
Transplants