一项关于“Differentiation of neuron-like cells from mouse parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells”的研究，对小鼠孤雌胚胎干细胞和胚胎干细胞向神经细胞分化的潜力进行了比较。结果发现：（1）孤雌胚胎干细胞和胚胎干细胞的核型保持正常，性染色体为XX。（2）孤雌胚胎干细胞和受精胚来源的胚胎干细胞高表达多能性蛋白Oct4 mRNA及蛋白，说明细胞具有多向分化潜能。（3）经诱导的孤雌胚胎干细胞和胚胎干细胞均表达神经细胞标志物Nestin、β-Ⅲ微管蛋白及髓鞘碱性蛋白和神经发生相关基因Sox-1, Nestin, GABA, Pax6, Zic5, Pitx1，而多能性基因Oct4的表达显著降低。（4）孤雌胚胎干细胞中Nestin和Pax6基因的表达明显高于胚胎干细胞。作者认为，孤雌胚胎干细胞比胚胎干细胞具有更强的向神经细胞分化的潜力。此项研究结果发表在《中国神经再生研究（英文版）》杂志2013年2月第4期上。(生物谷Bioon.com)
Differentiation of neuron-like cells from mouse parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells
Xingrong Yan1, Yanhong Yang2, Wei Liu1, Wenxin Geng1, Huichong Du1, Jihong Cui1, Xin Xie1, Jinlian Hua3, Shumin Yu4, Liwen Li1, Fulin Chen1
Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have pluripotent differentiation potentials, akin to fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. The aim of this study was to compare the neuronal differentiation potential of parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Before differentiation, karyotype analysis was performed, with normal karyotypes detected in both parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Sex chromosomes were identified as XX. Immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR detected high expression of the pluripotent gene, Oct4, at both the mRNA and protein levels, indicating pluripotent differentiation potential of the two embryonic stem cell subtypes. Embryonic stem cells were induced with retinoic acid to form embryoid bodies, and then dispersed into single cells. Single cells were differentiated in N2 differentiation medium for 9 days. Immunocytochemistry showed parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells both express the neuronal cell markers nestin, βIII-tubulin and myelin basic protein. Quantitative real-time PCR found expression of neurogenesis related genes (Sox-1, Nestin, GABA, Pax6, Zic5 and Pitx1) in both types of embryonic stem cells, and Oct4 expression was significantly decreased. Nestin and Pax6 expression in parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells was significantly higher than that in fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Thus, our experimental findings indicate that parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have stronger neuronal differentiation potential than fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells.
