18215490. IN VITRO METHODS OF DIFFERENTIATING STEM CELLS INTO NEURONS AND NEURONS GENERATED USING THE SAME simplified abstract (THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA)

IN VITRO METHODS OF DIFFERENTIATING STEM CELLS INTO NEURONS AND NEURONS GENERATED USING THE SAME

Organization Name

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Inventor(s)

Jessica Butts of San Francisco CA (US)

Todd C. Mcdevitt of San Francisco CA (US)

IN VITRO METHODS OF DIFFERENTIATING STEM CELLS INTO NEURONS AND NEURONS GENERATED USING THE SAME - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18215490 titled 'IN VITRO METHODS OF DIFFERENTIATING STEM CELLS INTO NEURONS AND NEURONS GENERATED USING THE SAME

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes methods of generating spinal cord glutamatergic interneurons (V2a interneurons) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by culturing the cells in a specific neural induction medium containing various signaling pathway activators and inhibitors. This results in the generation of a second population of cultured cells containing CHX10+ V2a interneurons.

• Culturing hPSCs in a neural induction medium containing a retinoic acid signaling pathway activator, a sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activator, and a Notch signaling pathway inhibitor.
• Generation of a second population of cultured cells containing CHX10+ V2a interneurons.
• Non-human animal models that include the hPSC-derived spinal cord glutamatergic interneurons.
• Methods of producing the non-human animal models.

Potential Applications

The technology can be applied in regenerative medicine for spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and neurological disorders.

Problems Solved

This technology addresses the need for generating specific types of neurons for research and potential therapeutic applications.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include the potential for personalized medicine approaches, disease modeling, drug screening, and understanding neural development.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications include drug discovery, cell therapy development, and research tools for studying neural circuits and disorders.

Possible Prior Art

Prior art may include methods for generating specific neuronal subtypes from stem cells, techniques for neural induction, and animal models for studying spinal cord function and regeneration.

How scalable is the production of these V2a interneurons for potential clinical applications?

The scalability of generating a sufficient number of V2a interneurons for clinical use is an important consideration for translating this technology into therapeutic applications. Further research and optimization may be needed to address this question.

What are the long-term effects of transplanting hPSC-derived V2a interneurons into animal models?

Understanding the long-term effects, including integration, functionality, and safety of transplanting hPSC-derived V2a interneurons into animal models, is crucial for assessing the potential clinical translation of this technology. Further studies and follow-up experiments may be necessary to answer this question.

Original Abstract Submitted

Methods of generating spinal cord glutamatergic interneurons (V2a interneurons) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are provided. A method of the present disclosure may include culturing a first population of hPSCs in vitro in a neural induction medium that includes: a retinoic acid signaling, pathway activator; a sonic hedgehog, (Shh) signaling pathway activator; and a Notch signaling pathway inhibitor, wherein the culturing results in generation of a second population of cultured cells containing CHX10+ V2a interneurons. Also provided are non-human animal models that include the hPSC-derived spinal cord glutametergic interneurons, and methods of producing the non-human animal models.