Electrophysiological characterization of neural stem/progenitor cells during in vitro differentiation: Study with an immortalized neuroectodermal cell line

✍ Scribed by M. Jelitai; M. Anderová; A. Chvátal; E. Madarász

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 655 KB
• Volume: 85
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0360-4012
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21282

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Despite the accumulating data on the molecular and cell biological characteristics of neural stem/progenitor cells, their electrophysiological properties are not well understood. In the present work, changes in the membrane properties and current profiles were investigated in the course of in vitro‐induced neuron formation in NE‐4C cells. Induction by retinoic acid resulted in neuronal differentiation of about 50% of cells. Voltage‐dependent Na^+^ currents appeared early in neuronal commitment, often preceding any morphological changes. A‐type K^+^ currents were detected only at the stage of network formation by neuronal processes. Flat, epithelial‐ like, nestin‐expressing progenitors persisted beside differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Stem/progenitor cells were gap junction coupled and displayed large, symmetrical, voltage‐independent currents. By the blocking of gap junction communication, voltage‐independent conductance was significantly reduced, and delayed‐rectifying K^+^ currents became detectable. Our data indicate that voltage‐independent symmetrical currents and gap junction coupling are characteristic physiological features of neural stem and progenitor cells regardless of the developmental state of their cellular environment. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.