Conclusions
Elucidation of the expression pattern of purinergic receptors and the effects of different subtypes of these receptors in hESC-OPCs may have a promising role in future cell-based therapy or drug design for demyelinating disease.
Methods
In this experimental study, we used reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to obtain more information about potential roles of purinergic receptors during in vitro production of hESC-OPCs. We first determined the expression level of different subtypes of purinergic receptors in hESCs, embryoid bodies (EBs), and hESC-OPCs. The effects of A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) activation on hESC-OPCs development were subsequently examined.
Results
hESCs and OPCs had different mRNA expression levels of the AR subtypes. ARs mRNA were expressed in the EB stage, except for A2AAR. We observed expressions of several P2X (P2X1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7) and P2Y (P2Y1, 2, 4, 6, 11-14) genes in hESCs. hESC-OPCs expressed different subtypes of P2X (P2X1, 2, 3,4,5,7) and P2Y (P2Y1, 2, 4, 6, 11-14). Except for P2X1 and P2X6, all other P2X and P2Y purinergic receptor subtypes expressed in EBs. We also indicate that A1AR might be involved in modulating gene expression levels of cell cycle regulators in an agonist and/or dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Elucidation of the expression pattern of purinergic receptors and the effects of different subtypes of these receptors in hESC-OPCs may have a promising role in future cell-based therapy or drug design for demyelinating disease.