17β-estradiol enhances neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

Existing protocols show a variety in the percentage of neurons that can be generated from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. In the current study, we compared effects of various differentiating conditions, including gelatin and poly-L-ornithine/fibronectin coatings, and NGF and 17-estradiol treatments on the total yield of neurons, as well as, neurite growth and branching. Here, we show that combination of fibronectin coating with 17-estradiol increased number of generated neurons over 50%. Poly-L-ornithine/fibronectin increased the percent of neurons in all cultures, suggesting its direct influence on neurogenesis. Addition of 17-estradiol reduced mean neurite length in culture, but significantly increased branching. Our results indicate a substrate-dependent regulation of estrogen-induced ES cells differentiation into neuronal cells. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.