Human neural precursor cells – an in vitro characterization

Abstract

We have compared the properties of human neural precursors isolated from fetal tissue with progenitor and precursor cells identified from rodent fetal tissue and human excretory/secretory (ES) cells. We have identified multipotent human neuroepithelial precursor cells (hNEPs) that are fibroblast growth factor dependent, grow in adherent culture, and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in mass and clonal cultures. A subset of these multipotent cells express an antigen recognized by the AC133/2 antibody. hNEPs appear similar to rodent-derived NEP cells, and unlike other human multipotent precursor cell populations, do not require Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) or Epithelial Growth Factor (EGF) for their survival. hNEPs constitute a small fraction of the cells present at any stage examined and three additional dividing populations can be identified based on expression of epitopes recognized by E-NCAM, A2B5 and CD44. E-NCAM+ cells co-express neuronal markers and can differentiate into multiple classes of neurons. Two types of A2B5+ cells can be distinguished: a small neuronal population that co-expresses E-NCAM immunoreactivity and a larger glial population that is E-NCAM negative. CD44+ cells do not express neuronal markers or oligodendrocytic markers but co-express astrocytic markers and likely represent an astrocyte precursor cell. Dividing E-NCAM+, A2B5+ and CD44+ cells can be identified in differentiating human ES cell cultures and the properties of these cells appear similar to cells present in fetal tissue.