en
Scientific article
Open access
English

Phenazopyridine induces and synchronizes neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells

Published inJournal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, vol. 13, no. 9B, p. 3517-3527
Publication date2009
Abstract

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are powerful tools to understand mechanisms of neuronal differentiation and to engineer neurons for in vitro studies and cell therapy. We developed a screening approach to identify small organic molecules driving neuronal differentiation of ES cells. For this purpose, we used a lentivector carrying a dual luciferase reporter system to engineer an ES cell line which allowed us to screen for small organic molecules enhancing neuronal differentiation. One of them, phenazopyridine, was further analysed in human ES cells. Phenazopyridine: (i) enhanced neuronal differentiation, (ii) increased cell survival, (iii) decreased the amount of non-neuronal and undifferentiated cells and (iv) synchronized the cellular differentiation state. Phenazopyridine allowed the development of a differentiation protocol compatible with the generation of clinical grade neural precursors, which were able differentiate into different neuronal subtypes, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In summary, we describe a powerful approach to identify small molecules directing stem cell differentiation. This led to the establishment of a new application for an old drug and the development of a novel clinical grade protocol for neuronal differentiation of ES cells.

Citation (ISO format)
SUTER, D. M. et al. Phenazopyridine induces and synchronizes neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells. In: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 2009, vol. 13, n° 9B, p. 3517–3527. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00660.x
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal1582-1838
564views
65downloads

Technical informations

Creation08/26/2010 12:36:45 PM
First validation08/26/2010 12:36:45 PM
Update time03/14/2023 4:01:48 PM
Status update03/14/2023 4:01:47 PM
Last indexation02/12/2024 11:15:47 AM
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack