Comparison of 2 methods for inducing iPSC to differentiate into neural stem cells

AIM: To select an efficient way of promoting induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to differentiate into neural stem cells (NSC) by comparing 2 methods. METHODS: The culture system in method A contained SB431542 (5 mmol/L) and drosomophorin (5 mmol/L) with 100% initial cell density, while that in method B contained SB431542 (5 mmol/L) and drosomophorin (1 mmol/L) with 30%~50% initial cell density. For comparison and identification of the 2 methods, the growth state was observed under microscope, and the expression of Pax6, nestin, Sox1 and Sox2 was quantitatively detected by real-time PCR and flow cytometry. The related protein expression and the ability of spontaneous differentiation were determined by immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: The cells derived from method A with 5 mmol/L of SB431542 and drosomophorin and 100% initial cell density achieved the higher expression of Pax6, nestin, Sox1 and Sox2. The growth state was better and the cells differentiated into neurons and astrocytes normally. CONCLUSION: The method A was superior to method B, and we recommend the method A with 5 mmol/L of SB431542 and drosomophorin and 100% initial cell density as the method for differentiating NSC.