Electrical stimulation modulates fate determination of differentiating embryonic stem cells

¹ Laboratory for Cell Culture Development Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan; Yamada Research Unit, Molecular Neuropathology Group Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
² Kondo Research Unit, Brain Development Research Group Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan; Laboratory for Alzheimer's Disease, Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
³ Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
⁴ Laboratory for Cell Function Dynamics, Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
⁵ Kondo Research Unit, Brain Development Research Group Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
⁶ Yamada Research Unit, Molecular Neuropathology Group Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
⁷ Laboratory for Cell Culture Development Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
⁸ Laboratory for Alzheimer's Disease, Brain Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Saitama, Japan
⁹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: TKondo{at}brain.riken.jp.

	Abstract

A clear understanding of cell fate regulation during differentiation is key in successfully using stem cells for therapeutic applications. Here, we report that mild electrical stimulation strongly influences embryonic stem cells to assume a neuronal fate. Although the resulting neuronal cells showed no sign of specific terminal differentiation in culture, they showed potential to differentiate into various types of neurons in vivo, and in adult mice contributed to the injured spinal cord as neuronal cells. Induction of calcium ion influx is significant in this differentiation system. This phenomenon opens up possibilities for understanding novel mechanisms underlying cellular differentiation and early development, and perhaps more importantly, suggests possibilities for treatments in medical contexts.

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