PureStem® ES-236 Progenitor

PureStem® ES-236 Progenitor expresses markers of dopamine metabolism and sympathoblastic neural crest including the neurotrophin receptor NTRK, TH, CRABP1, KIT. This progenitor exhibits no HOX gene expression. Differentiation in the presence of TGFβ3, PureStem Progenitor ES-236 expresses the sodium/sulfate cotransporter SLC13A4 and the neurotransmitter transporters SLC6A1 and SLC6A12, which are expressed in the meninges; therefore this progenitor is useful in the study of the blood brain barrier and drug discovery (Thoeringer et al, 2009). Progenitor ES-236 expresses high levels of PPP1R1B (DARPP32), a downstream target of the dopamine receptor. When differentiated in the presence of dexamethasone, the cells express PNMT, a final step in the synthesis of epinephrine. PureStem Progenitor ES-236 was derived from the registered parental hES cell line H9 (WA09) as described (West, M.D. et al, 2008).