| abstract |
Multipotent neuroepithelial stem cells and lineage-restricted oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are described. The neuroepithelial stem cells are capable of self-renewal and of differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are derived from neuroepithelial stem cells, are capable of self-renewal, and can differentiate into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, but not neurons. Methods of generating, isolating, and culturing such neuroepithelial stem cells and oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are also disclosed. A method of generating neural crest stem cells involves inducing neuroepithelial stem cells to differentiate in vitro into neural crest stem cells. Differentiation can be induced by replating the cells on laminin, withdrawing mitogens, or adding dorsalizing agents to the growth medium. Derivatives of the peripheral nervous system can be generated by inducing the neural crest stem cells to differentiate in vitro. |