Conversion of rat embryonic stem cells into neural precursors in chemical-defined medium

Rat embryonic stem (ES) cells hold great interest for the research of neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases. However, neural conversion of rat ES cells in vitro has proven to be a challenge owing to the proliferation arrest and apoptosis. Here we report that rat ES cells can commit efficiently to a neural fate in the presence of CHIR99021 and Y-27632 (CY medium). In addition, CHIR99021 is crucial for maintaining the metabolic activity of differentiated rat ES cells, while Y-27632 facilitates the neural differentiation of rat ES cells by inhibiting bone morphogenetic protein expression. The chemical-defined CY medium also provides a platform for exploring the mechanism of neural commitment and optimizing the production efficiency of neural precursor from rat ES cells.

► Rat ES cells were efficiently converted into neural precursors in chemical defined condition.
► The converted-neural precursors retained high neurogenic propensity and multipotency.
► We defined the molecular machinery underlying neural commitment of the rat ES cells.