Human stem cell derived sensory neurons
Commonly used acronym: hSCDS neurons
Scope of the method
The Method relates to
- Human health
The Method is situated in
- Basic Research
Type of method
- In vitro - Ex vivo
This method makes use of
- Human derived cells / tissues / organs
Specify the type of cells/tissues/organs
Starting from human embryonic stem cells to sensory neurons with a nociceptor phenotype
Description
Method keywords
- Stem cell differentiation
Scientific area keywords
- human sensory neurons
Method description
We use stem cell-derived sensory neurons and via a small molecule-based protocol (Young et al, 2014) we derive them into human sensory neurons with a nociceptor phenotype (express somatosensory ion channels).
Lab equipment
Cell culture.
Method status
- Still in development
- Published in peer reviewed journal
Pros, cons & Future potential
Advantages
One of the only available methods to have easy and accessible human sensory neurons.
Challenges
- You work with artifical cells.
- Differentiation protocol can vary and give variability.
Modifications
- Yes, optimalization of the protocol to obtain less variability, more research into what type of neurons you obtain, and more protocols to other types of neurons.
- Differentiation in the presence of other neuronal cell types might give a more natural environment and result.
Future & Other applications
- Mutating the initial stem cells might give information about neuronal development.
- Adding genetic fluorescent proteins can give information about expression at different time points and locations.
References, associated documents and other information
References
The protocol is based on :
- - Chambers et al, nat biotech, 2012 ;
- - Young et al, mol ther, 2014.
And was later optimized by the stem cell institute @ KU Leuven.
References that use the protocol (for different research purposes):
- - Desiderio et al, cell rep, 2019 ;
- - Vangeel et al, JBP, 2020.