Characterization of Neural Stem Cells of the Human Embryonic Fetus Across Regions of the Central Nervous System and Through Standard Gestation Period Assessments

Abstract

In this study, the characteristics of human embryonic fetuses aborted due to ectopic pregnancy were preliminarily evaluated on the basis of gestational age (GA), crown-rump - length (CRL), and their carnegie stage (CS). Further, we attempted to establish the human neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) by separating them into corresponding areas of the brain and spinal cord (SC), as much as was visually distinguishable, considering that the distribution of neurons differs across different brain areas. We successfully isolated and cultured NSCs/NPCs from regional brain and SC tissues of human embryonic fetuses. The isolated NSCs/NPCs not only exhibited the ability to self-proliferate but also had the potential to differentiate into neurons, motor neurons, and glial cells. We confirmed that the isolated Sox2 and Nestin expression in the NSCs/NPCs showed strong neural stemness and further verified how the expression markers, MAP-2, β-tubulin III(TuJ1), ChAT, HB9, GFAP, and Olig-2, could be harnessed while differentiating to neurons, motor neurons, and glial cells. NSCs with varying GA, CS, and CRLs were found to be capable of producing all neural lineages of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. We could completely differentiate them to neurons, motor neurons, and oligodendrocytes, except for a difference noted with astrocyte differentiation. This study provides vital experimental data for cell and gene therapy.