Functional properties of the human ventral mesencephalic neural stem cell line hVM1

The human fetal ventral mesencephalon-derived stem cell line, hVM1, yields high number of tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing presumed dopaminergic neurons upon in vitro differentiation. Here we report that cells generated from this line differentiate into a neuronal phenotype, express electrophysiological properties of functional neurons and respond to neurotransmitters in vitro. However, the electrophysiological properties are immature and the cells require longer maturation time than possible under in vitro conditions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.