Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors (hiPSC-NPs) have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into glial and neuronal lineages, which makes them an invaluable source in cell replacement therapy for neurological diseases. Therefore, their enhanced proliferation and neuronal differentiation are pivotal features that can be used in repairing neurological injuries. One of the main regulators of neural development is Wnt signaling, which results in the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). Here, we assess the impact of GSK-3 inhibition by the small molecule CHIR99021 on the expansion and differentiation of hiPSC-NPs in an adherent condition and a defined medium. Cell proliferation analyses have revealed that inhibition of GSK-3 in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) increased the proliferation of hiPSC-NPs across 10 passages. The inhibition of β-catenin signaling by XAV and NOTCH signaling by DAPT reversed CHIR impact on hiPSC-NPs proliferation. The target genes of β-catenin, C-MYC and CYCLIN D1 as well as NOTCH target genes, HES1 and HES5 were upregulated. The treatment of NPs by CHIR in the absence of bFGF and EGF resulted in an increase of neuronal differentiation rather than proliferation by stabilization of β-catenin regardless of the NOTCH pathway. Thus, GSK-3 inhibition has been shown to promote proliferation of the NPs by activating β-catenin and NOTCH-related cell cycle genes in the presence of bFGF and EGF. Additionally, during GSK-3 inhibition, an absence of these growth factors allows for the switch to neuronal differentiation with a bias toward a dopaminergic fate. This may provide desired cells that can be used in therapeutic applications and offer insights into the etiology of some neurological disorders.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Cell Differentiation*
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
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Culture Media
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Cyclin D1 / genetics
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Cyclin D1 / metabolism
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Dipeptides / pharmacology
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Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
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Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism
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Flow Cytometry
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
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Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / pharmacology
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
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Humans
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Indoles / pharmacology
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / drug effects
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / enzymology
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Maleimides / pharmacology
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Neural Stem Cells / cytology
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Neural Stem Cells / drug effects
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Neural Stem Cells / enzymology
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Neurogenesis*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
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Pyridines / pharmacology
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Pyrimidines / pharmacology
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Receptors, Notch / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptors, Notch / metabolism
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism
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Signal Transduction
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Time Factors
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Transcription Factor HES-1
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beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors
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beta Catenin / metabolism
Substances
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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CCND1 protein, human
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CTNNB1 protein, human
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Chir 99021
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Culture Media
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Dipeptides
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Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Indoles
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MYC protein, human
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Maleimides
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N-(N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)alanyl)phenylglycine tert-butyl ester
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
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Pyridines
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Pyrimidines
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Receptors, Notch
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Repressor Proteins
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SB 216763
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Transcription Factor HES-1
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XAV939
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beta Catenin
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
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Cyclin D1
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HES5 protein, human
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HES1 protein, human
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Epidermal Growth Factor
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3