Author Contributions: PMT conducted most of the experiments and analyzed all the data, with support from JZB. PMT and FSV planned all of the experiments. PMT, CM, GJL, and FSV wrote the manuscript.
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Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
The full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions and step-changes in oxygen tension affects the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells†
Article first published online: 7 SEP 2011
DOI: 10.1002/btpr.675
Copyright © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Additional Information
How to Cite
Mondragon-Teran, P., Baboo, J. Z., Mason, C., Lye, G. J. and Veraitch, F. S. (2011), The full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions and step-changes in oxygen tension affects the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. Biotechnol Progress, 27: 1700–1708. doi: 10.1002/btpr.675
- †
Author Contributions: PMT conducted most of the experiments and analyzed all the data, with support from JZB. PMT and FSV planned all of the experiments. PMT, CM, GJL, and FSV wrote the manuscript.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 1 DEC 2011
- Article first published online: 7 SEP 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 15 JUN 2011
- Manuscript Received: 17 JAN 2011
Funded by
- UK Department of Trade and Industry. Grant Number: TSB project No: TP/2/BP/6/I/10419
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- embryonic stem cells;
- neural differentiation;
- oxygen tension;
- bioprocessing
Abstract
The beneficial impact of lowering oxygen tension to physiological levels has been demonstrated in a number of stem cell differentiation protocols. The majority of these studies compare normal laboratory oxygen tension with one physiological condition (typically 2–5% O2). In this article, we investigated whether the full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions (0–20% O2) and step-changes in oxygen tension could enhance the production of neural populations from of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We used a model system for the conversion of mouse ESCs into cells expressing one neuroectoderm stem cell marker (nestin) and two neural markers (βIII tubulin and microtubule-associated protein (MAP2)). 4–10% O2 was associated with large increases in the total production of viable cells and the highest number of cells expressing Nestin, βIII tubulin, and MAP2. However, 4–10% O2 also caused a reduction in the percentage of cells expressing all three markers. Step changes in oxygen tension at the mid-point of the differentiation process affected the total production of viable cells and the percentage of cells expressing all three markers. We found that the initial oxygen tension and the magnitude of the step-change were critical variables. A step increase from 0 to 2% O2 mid-way through the protocol resulted in the highest percentage of cells expressing βIII tubulin (86.5%). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the full spectrum of physiological oxygen tensions and step changes in oxygen tension represent a powerful tool for the optimisation of neural differentiation processes. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011