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Sensory Neuron Progenitors Differentiation Service
Introduction of Sensory Neurons
As an indispensable component for the functions of the neurons system and signal initiator in all reflex responses, sensory neurons are major responsible for conveying internal, external, and environmental stimuli to the central nervous system (CNS). Damage to sensory neurons can lead to many diseases, such as traumatic injury, toxin exposure, immune system disorders, and metabolic disease. The subsequent cellular dysfunction leads to a loss of coordination involuntary movement. The in vitro source of human sensory neurons present great potentials in the generation of functional human CNS disease models for drug discovery and pathological studies.
During the developmental stages of sensory neurons, a series of crucial signaling pathways are revealed. For example, the combination of Wnt signaling pathways and the TGF β super-family is important for sensory neuron differentiation. The neurotrophic factors for sensory neurons differentiation may include nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF).
Fig.1 Diferentiation of hESC to neural crest and sensory neural progenitors.1
The process of sensory neurons generation from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) contain three stages:
- The induction of neural ectoderm to distinguish the developing nervous system;
- The induction of neural crest cell fate to segregate the peripheral nervous system (PNS) from CNS;
- The specification of sensory neurons to distinguish them from other neural crest derivatives.
Our Sensory Neuron Progenitor Differentiation Service
We are thrilled to present our service, which is dedicated to the differentiation of sensory neuron progenitors. Our sensory neuron progenitors differentiation service is designed to generate high-quality, functional sensory neurons from various sources such as iPSCs or ESCs. Utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and innovative techniques, we employ a multidisciplinary approach to guide the cellular development pathway optimally.
Sensory Neurons Differentiation Methods
It has been proved that the functional sensory neurons can be generated from a human neural progenitor cell line hNP1, which is derived from the human embryonic stem cell line WA09. According to the cell treatment with trophic factors and chemicals that have shown important roles in sensory neurons generation, the hNP1 cell line is induced to generate sensory neurons. The immunocytochemical analysis is then used to confirm the identity of the sensory neurons. And the functional maturation of the differentiated sensory neurons can be determined by electrophysiological analysis. Compared with ESCs, the neural progenitor-based sensory neurons induction is simple, efficient, and faster. In addition, skin-derived precursor cells (SKP), as a type of neural crest stem cells, are also an important source of sensory neurons.
In conclusion, the generation of functional sensory neurons provides valuable tools for the simulation of in vitro functions of sensory neuron-related neural circuits and the treatment of related diseases.
Creative Biolabs is one of the well-recognized experts who are professional in neurosciences research, now we provide the novel STEMOD™ neuroscience ex vivo models for our clients all over the world. If you are interested in our services and products, please do not hesitate to contact us for more detailed information.
What We Do
In this service, we not only provide targeted differentiation protocols but also validate the resulting cell types using rigorous confirmatory tests. These tests include immunocytochemistry, gene expression profiling, and functional assays to confirm the ability of the neurons to fire action potentials and form synapses.
At Creative Biolabs, we believe in service customization according to your project's demands. Each process can be seamlessly integrated or provided as a standalone service. Our expert team ensures the best scientific practices are implemented for every project, and diligently works towards maintaining the highest level of integrity and reliability throughout the research process.
Here are some services you may be interested in.
| Services | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Custom CNS Disease Modeling Services | We have optimized our neuroscience in vitro model platform with advanced technologies, high-quality facilities, and professional experts. Our platform can offer reliable custom CNS disease modeling services including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease models, Huntington's disease models, and Parkinson's disease models. |
| MEA Measurements of Neurons | MEA has become a popular experimental platform for electrophysiological studies of neural networks for in vitro models. Our MEA measurements are used for various purposes, including neurophysiology, neurotoxicology, and pharmacological studies in dissociated neuronal networks, fundamental research. |
| Viral Vector for Neural Circuitry Research | Neural labeling and tracing technology is the basis of neuroscience research. We have developed a variety of viral vectors for cell labeling. By using specific promoters and viral vectors, neuron labeling and manipulation at the cellular and subcellular levels can be achieved. |
Published Data
Erica L. et al. investigated the effect of the number of iPSC passages on sensory neuron differentiation. They assessed the morphology and pluripotency of iPSC prior to differentiation and evaluated differentiated sensory neurons based on electrophysiological properties and expression of key neuronal markers.
As shown in the figure, iPSC-dSN differentiated from low transmission generations exhibited better electrophysiological maturation. Combined with other characterization data, it is concluded that iPSC-dSN differentiated from low passages better encapsulates the sensory neuron phenotype than iPSC-dSN differentiated from medium or high passages. A lower number of passages may be more suitable for differentiation into peripheral sensory neurons.
Fig. 2 Electrophysiological assessment of iPSC-dSNs differentiated from iPSCs at different passage numbers.2
Applications
Our service is perfect for researchers who want to study the pathogenesis of sensory disorders, those developing therapeutic methods for sensory-related diseases, and those testing the neurotoxic effects of candidate drugs. Specific applications include but are not limited to
- Study the development and function of the nervous system
- Understand diseases that affect the nervous system
- Develop targeted cell replacement therapies
FAQs
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Q: Which specific sensory neuron progenitors are you able to differentiate?
A: We can differentiate progenitor cells into multiple types of sensory neurons, including mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and thermoreceptors among others. We adjust the conditions depending on the specific type of sensory neuron progenitor differentiation that is required. -
Q: What are the specific markers or characteristics used to identify sensory neuron progenitors during the differentiation process?
A: We employ a panel of well-established markers and functional assays to identify and characterize sensory neuron progenitors at various stages of differentiation. These markers include transcription factors, surface antigens, and functional properties specific to sensory neuron progenitors, ensuring accurate monitoring and characterization throughout the differentiation process. -
Q: What downstream applications are compatible with the mature sensory neurons generated through this service?
A: The mature sensory neurons generated through our service are compatible with a wide range of downstream applications, including but not limited to electrophysiology, calcium imaging, neurite outgrowth assays, and drug screening studies. Their functionality and compatibility make them invaluable tools for investigating sensory neuron biology and related diseases. -
Q: What cell sources are compatible with this service?
A: Our service is compatible with a wide range of cell sources, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and various somatic cell types. We can advise you on the most suitable cell source based on your research goals and experimental design.
Scientific Resources
References
- Alshawaf, A.; et al. Phenotypic and functional characterization of peripheral sensory neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. Scientific reports. 2018, 8(1): 1-12.
- Cantor, Erica L., et al. "Passage number affects differentiation of sensory neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells." Scientific Reports 12.1 (2022): 15869.
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.