Neural conversion of human embryonic stem cell colonies in the presence of fibroblast growth factor-2

Pluripotency and the capability for unlimited self-renewal make human embryonic stem cells a promising tool for studying development and new cell replacement strategies. Here, we present a simple differentiation protocol, which permits the direct conversion of human embryonic stem cells into neurogenic precursors without formation of embryoid bodies or coculture with other cell types. In this protocol, human embryonic stem cells propagated as adherent cultures are induced to differentiate into the neural lineage in media containing fibroblast growth factor-2. The adherent cells are proliferated to form detaching neurospheres. Upon plating, these neurospheres give rise to a homogenous population of neural precursors capable of generating neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Our findings suggest that fibroblast growth factor-2 exposure alone suffices to promote neural conversion of adherently growing human embryonic stem cell cultures.