The amniotic membrane(AM) is the inner layer of the fetal membranes and consist of 3 different layers: the epithelium, basement membrane and stroma which further consists of three contiguous but distinct layers: the i...The amniotic membrane(AM) is the inner layer of the fetal membranes and consist of 3 different layers: the epithelium, basement membrane and stroma which further consists of three contiguous but distinct layers: the inner compact layer, middle fibroblast layer and the outermost spongy layer. The AM has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic as well as anti-microbial properties. Also because of its transparent structure, lack of immunogenicity and the ability to provide an excellent substrate for growth, migration and adhesion of epithelial corneal and conjunctival cells, it is being used increasingly for ocular surface reconstruction in a variety of ocular pathologies including corneal disorders associated with limbal stem cell deficiency, surgeries for conjunctival reconstruction, as a carrier for ex vivo expansion of limbal epithelial cells, glaucoma surgeries and sceral melts and perforations. However indiscriminate use of human AM needs to be discouraged as complications though infrequent can occur. These include risk of transmission of bacterial, viral or fungal infections to the recipient if the donors are not adequately screened for communicable diseases, if the membrane is not processed under sterile condi-tions or if storage is improper. Optimal outcomes can be achieved only with meticulous case selection. This review explores the ever expanding ophthalmological indications for the use of human AM.展开更多
AIM：To investigate whether umbilical cord human mesenchymal stem cell（UC-MSC）was able to differentiate into neural stem cell and neuron.·METHODS：The umbilical cords were o btained from pregnant women with the...AIM：To investigate whether umbilical cord human mesenchymal stem cell（UC-MSC）was able to differentiate into neural stem cell and neuron.·METHODS：The umbilical cords were o btained from pregnant women with their written consent and the approval of the Clinic Ethnics Committee.UC-MSC were isolated by adherent culture in the medium contains 20%fetal bovine serum（FBS）,then they were maintained in the medium contain 10%FBS and induced to neural cells in neural differentiation medium.We investigated whether UC-MSC was able to differentiate into neural stem cell and neuron by using flow cytometry,reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）and immunofluorescence（IF）analyzes.·R ESULTS：A substantial number of UC-MSC was harvested using the tissue explants adherent method at about 2wk.Flow cytometric study revealed that these cells expressed common markers of MSCs,such as CD105（SH2）,CD73（SH3）and CD90.After induction of differentiation of neural stem cells,the cells began to form clusters;RT-PCR and IF showed that the neuron specific enolase（NSE）and neurogenic differentiation 1-positive cells reached 87.3%±14.7%and 72.6%±11.8%,respectively.Cells showed neuronal cell differentiation after induced,including neuron-like protrusions,plump cell body,obviously and stronger refraction.RT-PCR and IF analysis showed that microtubule-associated protein 2（MAP2）and nuclear factor-M-positive cells reached 43.1%±10.3%and 69.4%±19.5%,respectively.·CONCLUSION：Human umbilical cord derived MSCs can be cultured and proliferated and differentiate into neural stem cells,which may be a valuable source for cell therapy of neurodegenerative eye diseases.展开更多
Background Islet transplantation is an effective way of reversing type Ⅰ diabetes. However, islet transplantation is hampered by issues such as immune rejection and shortage of donor islets. Mesenchymal stem cells ca...Background Islet transplantation is an effective way of reversing type Ⅰ diabetes. However, islet transplantation is hampered by issues such as immune rejection and shortage of donor islets. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into insulin-producing cells. However, the potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （huMSCs） to become insulin-producing cells remains undetermined.Methods We isolated and induced cultured huMSCs under islet cell culture conditions. The response of huMSCs were monitored under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining methods were used to measure insulin and glucagon protein levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed to detect gene expression of human insulin and PDX-1. Dithizone-staining was employed to determine the zinc contents in huMSCs. Insulin secretion was also evaluated through radioimmunoassay.Results HuMSCs induced by nicotinamide and β-mercaptoethanol or by neurogenic differentiation 1 gene （NeuroD1）transfection gradually changed morphology from typically elongated fibroblast-shaped cells to round cells. They had a tendency to form clusters. Immunocytochemical studies showed positive expression of human insulin and glucagon in these cells in response to induction. RT-PCR experiments found that huMSCs expressed insulin and PDX-1 genes following induction and dithizone stained the cytoplasm of huMSCs a brownish red color after induction. Insulin secretion in induced huMSCs was significantly elevated compared with the control group （t=6.183, P〈0.05）.Conclusions HuMSCs are able to differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro. The potential use of huMSCs in βcell replacement therapy of diabetes needs to be studied further展开更多
In this study, we loaded human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells onto human amniotic membrane with epithelial cells to prepare nerve conduits, i.e., a relatively closed nerve regeneration chamber. After neurolysis...In this study, we loaded human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells onto human amniotic membrane with epithelial cells to prepare nerve conduits, i.e., a relatively closed nerve regeneration chamber. After neurolysis, the injured radial nerve was enwrapped with the prepared nerve conduit, which was fixed to the epineurium by sutures, with the cell on the inner surface of the conduit. Simultaneously, a 1.0 mL aliquot of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell suspension was injected into the distal and proximal ends of the injured radial nerve with 1.0 cm intervals. A total of 1.75 x 107 cells were seeded on the amniotic membrane. In the control group, patients received only neurolysis. At 12 weeks after cell transplantation, more than 80% of patients exhibited obvious improvements in muscular strength, and touch and pain sensations. In contrast, these improvements were observed only in 55-65% of control patients. At 8 and 12 weeks, muscular electrophysiological function in the region dominated by the injured radial nerve was significantly better in the transplantation group than the control group. After cell transplantation, no immunological rejections were observed. These findings suggest that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-loaded amniotic membrane can be used for the repair of radial nerve injury.展开更多
AIM: To compare the phenotypic and neural differentiation potential of human bone marrow derived multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). METHODS: Cultures of MAPC and MSC were estab...AIM: To compare the phenotypic and neural differentiation potential of human bone marrow derived multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). METHODS: Cultures of MAPC and MSC were established in parallel from same samples of human bone marrow (n = 5). Both stem cell types were evaluated for expression of pluripotency markers including Oct-4 and Nanog by immunocytochemistry and reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and expression of standard mesenchymal markers including CD14, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105 andhuman leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC by flow cytometry. After treatment with neural induction medium both MAPC and MSC were evaluated for expression of neural proteins [neuronal filament-200 (NF-200) and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)] by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting and neural genes [NF-200, GFAP, Tau, microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-1B, MAP-2, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and oligodendrocyte-1 (Olig-1)] by quantitative real-time-PCR. RESULTS: MAPC had small trigonal shaped while MSC had elongated spindle-shaped morphology. The MAPC expressed Oct-4 and Nanog both at gene and protein levels, whereas MSC were negative for these pluripotent markers. MAPC were negative for HLA-ABC while MSC had high expression of HLA-ABC. In addition, MAPC as compared to MSC had significantly lower expression of CD44 (36.56% ± 1.92% vs 98.23% ± 0.51%), CD73 (15.11% ± 2.24% vs 98.53% ± 2.22%) and CD105 (13.81% ± 3.82%vs 95.12% ± 5.65%) (P < 0.001, for all) MAPC cultures compared to MSC cultures treated with neural induction medium had significantly higher fold change expression of NF-200 (0.64), GFAP (0.52), Tau (0.59), MAP-2 (0.72), Olig-1 (0.18) and NSE (0.29) proteins (P < 0.01 for Olig-1 and P < 0.001 for rest) as well as higher fold change expression of genes of NF-200 (1.34),GFAP (1.12),Tau (1.08),MAP-1B (0.92), MAP-2 (1.14) andNSE (0.4) (P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: MAPC can be differentially characterized from MSC as Oct-4 and Nanog pos展开更多
lschemic stroke is a focal cerebral insult that often leads to many adverse neurological complications severely affecting the quality of life. The prevalence of stroke is increasing throughout the world, while the eff...lschemic stroke is a focal cerebral insult that often leads to many adverse neurological complications severely affecting the quality of life. The prevalence of stroke is increasing throughout the world, while the efficacy of current pharmacological therapies remains unclear. As a neuroregenerative therapy, the implantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （hUC-MSCs） has shown great possibility to restore function after stroke. This review article provides an update role of hUC-MSCs implantation in the treatment of ischemic stroke. With the unique ＂immunosuppressive and immunoprivilege＂ property, hUC-MSCs are advised to be an important candidate for aUogeneic cell treatment. Nevertheless, most of the treatments are still at primary stage and not clinically feasible at the current time. Several uncertain problems, such as culture conditions, allograft rejection, and potential tumorigenicity, are the choke points in this cellular therapy. More preclinical researches and clinical studies are needed before hUC-MSCs implantation can be used as a routinely applied clinical therapy.展开更多
Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton＇s jelly of the umbilical cord were induced to differentiate into oligodendrocyte precursor-like cells in vitro. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells were transplanted in...Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton＇s jelly of the umbilical cord were induced to differentiate into oligodendrocyte precursor-like cells in vitro. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells were transplanted into contused rat spinal cords. Immunofluorescence double staining indicated that transplanted cells survived in injured spinal cord, and differentiated into mature and immature oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Biotinylated dextran amine tracing results showed that cell transplantation promoted a higher density of the corticospinal tract in the central and caudal parts of the injured spinal cord. Luxol fast blue and toluidine blue staining showed that the volume of residual myelin was significantly increased at 1 and 2 mm rostral and caudal to the lesion epicenter after cell transplantation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining verified that the newly regenerated myelin sheath was derived from the central nervous system. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan testing showed an evident behavioral recovery. These results suggest that human umbilical mesenchymal stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells promote the regeneration of spinal axons and myelin sheaths.展开更多
Following spinal cord injury, astrocyte proliferation and scar formation are the main factors inhibiting the regeneration and growth of spinal cord axons. Recombinant decorin suppresses inflammatory reactions, inhibit...Following spinal cord injury, astrocyte proliferation and scar formation are the main factors inhibiting the regeneration and growth of spinal cord axons. Recombinant decorin suppresses inflammatory reactions, inhibits glial scar formation, and promotes axonal growth. Rat models of T8 spinal cord contusion were created with the NYU impactor and these models were subjected to combined transplantation of bone morphogenetic protein-4-induced glial-restricted precursor-derived astro- cytes and human recombinant decorin transplantation. At 28 days after spinal cord contusion, dou- ble-immunofluorescent histochemistry revealed that combined transplantation inhibited the early in- flammatory response in injured rats. Furthermore, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which was se- creted by transplanted cells, protected injured axons. The combined transplantation promoted ax- onal regeneration and growth of injured motor and sensory neurons by inhibiting astrocyte prolif- eration and glial scar formation, with astrocytes forming a linear arrangement in the contused spinal cord, thus providing axonal regeneration channels.展开更多
Multiple protocols have been devised to generate cerebral organoids that recapitulate features of the developing human brain, including the presence of a large, multi-layered, cortical-like neuronal zone. However, the...Multiple protocols have been devised to generate cerebral organoids that recapitulate features of the developing human brain, including the presence of a large, multi-layered, cortical-like neuronal zone. However, the central question is whether these organoids truly present mature, functional neurons and astrocytes, which may qualify the system for in-depth molecular neuroscience studies focused at neuronal and synaptic functions. Here, we demonstrate that cerebral organoids derived under optimal differentiation conditions exhibit mature, fully functional neurons and astrocytes, as validated by immunohistological, gene expression, and electrophysiological, analyses. Neurons in cerebral organoids showed gene expression profiles and electrophysiological properties similar to those reported for fetal human brain. These important findings indicate that cerebral organoids recapitulate the developing human brain and may enhance use of cerebral organoids in modeling human brain development or investigating neural deficits that underlie neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, such as autism or intellectual disorders.展开更多
文摘The amniotic membrane(AM) is the inner layer of the fetal membranes and consist of 3 different layers: the epithelium, basement membrane and stroma which further consists of three contiguous but distinct layers: the inner compact layer, middle fibroblast layer and the outermost spongy layer. The AM has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic as well as anti-microbial properties. Also because of its transparent structure, lack of immunogenicity and the ability to provide an excellent substrate for growth, migration and adhesion of epithelial corneal and conjunctival cells, it is being used increasingly for ocular surface reconstruction in a variety of ocular pathologies including corneal disorders associated with limbal stem cell deficiency, surgeries for conjunctival reconstruction, as a carrier for ex vivo expansion of limbal epithelial cells, glaucoma surgeries and sceral melts and perforations. However indiscriminate use of human AM needs to be discouraged as complications though infrequent can occur. These include risk of transmission of bacterial, viral or fungal infections to the recipient if the donors are not adequately screened for communicable diseases, if the membrane is not processed under sterile condi-tions or if storage is improper. Optimal outcomes can be achieved only with meticulous case selection. This review explores the ever expanding ophthalmological indications for the use of human AM.
基金Supported by Tianjin Science and Technology Project of China(13ZCZDSY01500)
文摘AIM：To investigate whether umbilical cord human mesenchymal stem cell（UC-MSC）was able to differentiate into neural stem cell and neuron.·METHODS：The umbilical cords were o btained from pregnant women with their written consent and the approval of the Clinic Ethnics Committee.UC-MSC were isolated by adherent culture in the medium contains 20%fetal bovine serum（FBS）,then they were maintained in the medium contain 10%FBS and induced to neural cells in neural differentiation medium.We investigated whether UC-MSC was able to differentiate into neural stem cell and neuron by using flow cytometry,reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）and immunofluorescence（IF）analyzes.·R ESULTS：A substantial number of UC-MSC was harvested using the tissue explants adherent method at about 2wk.Flow cytometric study revealed that these cells expressed common markers of MSCs,such as CD105（SH2）,CD73（SH3）and CD90.After induction of differentiation of neural stem cells,the cells began to form clusters;RT-PCR and IF showed that the neuron specific enolase（NSE）and neurogenic differentiation 1-positive cells reached 87.3%±14.7%and 72.6%±11.8%,respectively.Cells showed neuronal cell differentiation after induced,including neuron-like protrusions,plump cell body,obviously and stronger refraction.RT-PCR and IF analysis showed that microtubule-associated protein 2（MAP2）and nuclear factor-M-positive cells reached 43.1%±10.3%and 69.4%±19.5%,respectively.·CONCLUSION：Human umbilical cord derived MSCs can be cultured and proliferated and differentiate into neural stem cells,which may be a valuable source for cell therapy of neurodegenerative eye diseases.
文摘Background Islet transplantation is an effective way of reversing type Ⅰ diabetes. However, islet transplantation is hampered by issues such as immune rejection and shortage of donor islets. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into insulin-producing cells. However, the potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （huMSCs） to become insulin-producing cells remains undetermined.Methods We isolated and induced cultured huMSCs under islet cell culture conditions. The response of huMSCs were monitored under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining methods were used to measure insulin and glucagon protein levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed to detect gene expression of human insulin and PDX-1. Dithizone-staining was employed to determine the zinc contents in huMSCs. Insulin secretion was also evaluated through radioimmunoassay.Results HuMSCs induced by nicotinamide and β-mercaptoethanol or by neurogenic differentiation 1 gene （NeuroD1）transfection gradually changed morphology from typically elongated fibroblast-shaped cells to round cells. They had a tendency to form clusters. Immunocytochemical studies showed positive expression of human insulin and glucagon in these cells in response to induction. RT-PCR experiments found that huMSCs expressed insulin and PDX-1 genes following induction and dithizone stained the cytoplasm of huMSCs a brownish red color after induction. Insulin secretion in induced huMSCs was significantly elevated compared with the control group （t=6.183, P〈0.05）.Conclusions HuMSCs are able to differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro. The potential use of huMSCs in βcell replacement therapy of diabetes needs to be studied further
基金the Science and Technology Foundation of Shenyang in China,No.F10-217-1-00
文摘In this study, we loaded human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells onto human amniotic membrane with epithelial cells to prepare nerve conduits, i.e., a relatively closed nerve regeneration chamber. After neurolysis, the injured radial nerve was enwrapped with the prepared nerve conduit, which was fixed to the epineurium by sutures, with the cell on the inner surface of the conduit. Simultaneously, a 1.0 mL aliquot of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell suspension was injected into the distal and proximal ends of the injured radial nerve with 1.0 cm intervals. A total of 1.75 x 107 cells were seeded on the amniotic membrane. In the control group, patients received only neurolysis. At 12 weeks after cell transplantation, more than 80% of patients exhibited obvious improvements in muscular strength, and touch and pain sensations. In contrast, these improvements were observed only in 55-65% of control patients. At 8 and 12 weeks, muscular electrophysiological function in the region dominated by the injured radial nerve was significantly better in the transplantation group than the control group. After cell transplantation, no immunological rejections were observed. These findings suggest that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-loaded amniotic membrane can be used for the repair of radial nerve injury.
基金Supported by The Grant-in-Aid entitled"Stem cells for regenerative medicine:Isolation of Multipotent adult Progenitor Cells from Human Bone Marrow and their Clonal Expansion and Differentiation into Cardiomyocytes,Hepatocytes and Beta-islets"No.BT/PR6303/MED/14/776/2005,sanctioned by Department of Biotechnology,Government of India
文摘AIM: To compare the phenotypic and neural differentiation potential of human bone marrow derived multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). METHODS: Cultures of MAPC and MSC were established in parallel from same samples of human bone marrow (n = 5). Both stem cell types were evaluated for expression of pluripotency markers including Oct-4 and Nanog by immunocytochemistry and reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and expression of standard mesenchymal markers including CD14, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105 andhuman leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC by flow cytometry. After treatment with neural induction medium both MAPC and MSC were evaluated for expression of neural proteins [neuronal filament-200 (NF-200) and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)] by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting and neural genes [NF-200, GFAP, Tau, microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-1B, MAP-2, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and oligodendrocyte-1 (Olig-1)] by quantitative real-time-PCR. RESULTS: MAPC had small trigonal shaped while MSC had elongated spindle-shaped morphology. The MAPC expressed Oct-4 and Nanog both at gene and protein levels, whereas MSC were negative for these pluripotent markers. MAPC were negative for HLA-ABC while MSC had high expression of HLA-ABC. In addition, MAPC as compared to MSC had significantly lower expression of CD44 (36.56% ± 1.92% vs 98.23% ± 0.51%), CD73 (15.11% ± 2.24% vs 98.53% ± 2.22%) and CD105 (13.81% ± 3.82%vs 95.12% ± 5.65%) (P < 0.001, for all) MAPC cultures compared to MSC cultures treated with neural induction medium had significantly higher fold change expression of NF-200 (0.64), GFAP (0.52), Tau (0.59), MAP-2 (0.72), Olig-1 (0.18) and NSE (0.29) proteins (P < 0.01 for Olig-1 and P < 0.001 for rest) as well as higher fold change expression of genes of NF-200 (1.34),GFAP (1.12),Tau (1.08),MAP-1B (0.92), MAP-2 (1.14) andNSE (0.4) (P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: MAPC can be differentially characterized from MSC as Oct-4 and Nanog pos
基金This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 81273751）, the Project for Key Laboratories in Hunan Province the Prophylaxis and Treatment for Nervous System Diseases with Combination of TCM and Western Medicine （No. 2014XNFZ01） and the Innovative Scientific Research Projects of Graduate Students in Hunan Province in 2014 （No. CX2014B348）.
文摘lschemic stroke is a focal cerebral insult that often leads to many adverse neurological complications severely affecting the quality of life. The prevalence of stroke is increasing throughout the world, while the efficacy of current pharmacological therapies remains unclear. As a neuroregenerative therapy, the implantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （hUC-MSCs） has shown great possibility to restore function after stroke. This review article provides an update role of hUC-MSCs implantation in the treatment of ischemic stroke. With the unique ＂immunosuppressive and immunoprivilege＂ property, hUC-MSCs are advised to be an important candidate for aUogeneic cell treatment. Nevertheless, most of the treatments are still at primary stage and not clinically feasible at the current time. Several uncertain problems, such as culture conditions, allograft rejection, and potential tumorigenicity, are the choke points in this cellular therapy. More preclinical researches and clinical studies are needed before hUC-MSCs implantation can be used as a routinely applied clinical therapy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81100916, 30400464,81271316the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China,No. 201104901907
文摘Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton＇s jelly of the umbilical cord were induced to differentiate into oligodendrocyte precursor-like cells in vitro. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells were transplanted into contused rat spinal cords. Immunofluorescence double staining indicated that transplanted cells survived in injured spinal cord, and differentiated into mature and immature oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Biotinylated dextran amine tracing results showed that cell transplantation promoted a higher density of the corticospinal tract in the central and caudal parts of the injured spinal cord. Luxol fast blue and toluidine blue staining showed that the volume of residual myelin was significantly increased at 1 and 2 mm rostral and caudal to the lesion epicenter after cell transplantation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining verified that the newly regenerated myelin sheath was derived from the central nervous system. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan testing showed an evident behavioral recovery. These results suggest that human umbilical mesenchymal stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells promote the regeneration of spinal axons and myelin sheaths.
基金supported by funding from the Ministry of Finance People’s Republic of ChinaChina Rehabilitation Research Center Research Program grants, No. 2008-2,2008-3, 2008-4, 2008-5
文摘Following spinal cord injury, astrocyte proliferation and scar formation are the main factors inhibiting the regeneration and growth of spinal cord axons. Recombinant decorin suppresses inflammatory reactions, inhibits glial scar formation, and promotes axonal growth. Rat models of T8 spinal cord contusion were created with the NYU impactor and these models were subjected to combined transplantation of bone morphogenetic protein-4-induced glial-restricted precursor-derived astro- cytes and human recombinant decorin transplantation. At 28 days after spinal cord contusion, dou- ble-immunofluorescent histochemistry revealed that combined transplantation inhibited the early in- flammatory response in injured rats. Furthermore, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which was se- creted by transplanted cells, protected injured axons. The combined transplantation promoted ax- onal regeneration and growth of injured motor and sensory neurons by inhibiting astrocyte prolif- eration and glial scar formation, with astrocytes forming a linear arrangement in the contused spinal cord, thus providing axonal regeneration channels.
文摘Multiple protocols have been devised to generate cerebral organoids that recapitulate features of the developing human brain, including the presence of a large, multi-layered, cortical-like neuronal zone. However, the central question is whether these organoids truly present mature, functional neurons and astrocytes, which may qualify the system for in-depth molecular neuroscience studies focused at neuronal and synaptic functions. Here, we demonstrate that cerebral organoids derived under optimal differentiation conditions exhibit mature, fully functional neurons and astrocytes, as validated by immunohistological, gene expression, and electrophysiological, analyses. Neurons in cerebral organoids showed gene expression profiles and electrophysiological properties similar to those reported for fetal human brain. These important findings indicate that cerebral organoids recapitulate the developing human brain and may enhance use of cerebral organoids in modeling human brain development or investigating neural deficits that underlie neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, such as autism or intellectual disorders.
