Kits for the Neural Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human/Mouse Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation Kit (Catalog # SC001B)

Figure 1. Dopaminergic neurons generated using Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation Kit (Catalog # SC001B). Cells were stained with Tyrosine Hydroxylase (green), beta III Tubulin Tuj1 (red), and counterstained with DAPI (blue).

Background Information

The midbrain dopamine projections to the striatum have been among the most extensively studied catecholamine neurons, in part because the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra results in Parkinson's disease. The basic organization of midbrain dopamine neurons and their projections is consistent across most mammals. Both animal models and clinical trials have suggested that cell replacement therapies may be effective in treating Parkinson's disease. However, this approach is limited by the availability of a rich, effective source of neural precursors for DA neuron generation.

Kit Description

The Human/Mouse Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation Kit (Catalog # SC001B) is a system designed for in vitro dopaminergic neuron differentiation of mouse ES cells in a serum-free environment. The kit contains ITS and N-2 Plus Media Supplements, which are used to select and enrich neural stem cell populations. Bovine fibronectin is included to support cell attachment and spreading. A growth factor panel, consisting of human fibroblast growth factor basic (FGF basic), mouse fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF-8b) and mouse sonic hedgehog amino-terminal peptide (Shh-N), is included for effective dopaminergic differentiation. The quantity of each component provided in the kit is estimated to be sufficient for induction of 3 x 10⁷ embryonic stem cells.

Kit Contents

• FGF-8b
• FGF basic
• Shh-N
• Fibronectin
• ITS Media Supplement
• N-2 Plus Media Supplement

Mouse Oligodendrocyte Differentiation Kit (Catalog # SC004)

Mouse Oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocyte lineage cells were detected with mouse anti-oligodendrocyte marker O4 (Catalog # MAB1326)

Background Information

Oligodendrocytes are myelinating cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that form the myelin sheath of axons to support rapid nerve conduction. In CNS disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, demyelination of axons contributes to functional deficit. Studies have demonstrated that enhanced remyelination of damaged CNS axons through transplantation can restore functions lost as a consequence of demyelination. However, the approach of neural transplantation therapy is limited by the availability of a rich, effective source of oligodendrocyte precursors for myelin regeneration.

Kit Description

The Mouse Oligodendrocyte Differentiation Kit (Catalog # SC004) is a kit designed for in vitro oligodendrocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells in a serum-free environment. The kit contains ITS and N-2 Plus Media Supplements, which are used to select and enrich neural precursor populations that are characterized by Nestin and A2B5 staining. Bovine fibronectin is included to support cell attachment and spreading. A growth factor panel, consisting of human fibroblast growth factor basic (FGF basic), human epidermal growth factor (EGF), and human platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) is included for effective oligodendrocyte differentiation. The quantity of each component provided in the kit is estimated to be sufficient for the induction of 3 x 10⁷ embryonic stem cells.

Kit Contents

• EGF
• FGF basic
• PDGF-AA
• Fibronectin
• ITS Media Supplement
• N-2 Plus Media Supplement